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Massapequas’ Seniors Join with MTAC to Secure, Monitor, & Dispose of Drugs

Massapequa Takes Action Coalition recently joined with Massapequas’ Senior Citizens at the McKenna Senior Center to celebrate National Prevention Week (NPW). The annual weeklong observance serves to increase public awareness and promote substance abuse prevention across the nation.

The Massapequa Senior Citizen Center members learned about opioid misuse in the Massapequas as well as how and why they should secure, monitor and dispose of prescription drugs – especially opioids (pain medications). Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others. In the Massapequas, 71% of young adults who misuse prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinets of friends and family.  MTAC encourages all seniors and residents to dispose of unnecessary drugs in a safe environmental manner:

  • Attend MTAC’s local take back events hosted at Massapequa High School throughout the year.  The April event collected 400 pounds of pharmaceuticals and 150 pounds of needles; and
  • Dispose unnecessary medications at any Nassau County Police Precinct. Disposal boxes are located in the lobby and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MTAC also provided seniors with Deterra® Kits. The Deterra® Drug Deactivation System is an easy and environmentally safe way for people to dispose of medications if they are unable to travel to take back events or the precincts.  To learn more about the prevention of prescription drug misuse and how to be part of the solution, contact Cathy Samuels, MTAC Coalition Coordinator, at (516) 799-3000 x131 or email info@mtacoalition.com.

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