BILL NUMBER: S1681

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the establishment
and operation of drug take back collection systems in certain pharmacies

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:.:

The purpose of this bill is to make changes to public health law in
order to incentkize the department of environmental conservation to
submit and approve of a proposal regarding drug takebacks within certain
pharmacies by March thirty-first, two thousand and twenty two, so that
the system may be functioning by June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-
two.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends § 291 public health law to account for the possibility
that the drug takeback proposal to cover one or more regions of the
state is not submitted and approved by the environmental conservation by
              

March thirty-first, two thousand and twenty-two. If this proposal is not
submitted, the sole responsibility for establishing, paying for, and
operating a drug take back collection system shall shift to the owners
and operators of such pharmacies, at no charge to the customers within
such chain pharmacy retail locations. Should a new drug takeback
proposal not be passed,by the thirty-first of March, two thousand and
twenty-two, such chain pharmacy owners and operators shall have
collection systems installed for use by the general public no later than
June thirtieth, two thousand and twenty-two.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The drug takeback system' proposed in this bill would provide the neces-
sary abillty for the public to safely and legally dispose of controlled
substances end other drugs within their possession.  Currently, most
drug takebacks depend on sheriffs' offices or other law enforcement.

The amount of deaths from opiold poisoning in New York State has
increased each year between 2010 and 2017, with an overall Increase of
200% within this period. The possession of unused presaiption drugs such
as (Odds within residencies without a safe and convenient way of dispos-
ing of them can lead to abuse and further worsen this oplokl-rekited
death crisis.

The implementation of this drug takeback system would provide a safe,
legal and convenient way to dispose of drugs and controled substances
that could decrease the possession of unused controlled substances.  The
current system alienates certain people who are unable or unwiMng to
participate in such an inconvenient and time-consuming process, which
results in substantial retention of unused controlled substances and,
other drugs. A new system using certain pharmacies would be much more
convenient and accessible to the public. This amendment to Section 291
of the public health would ensure that this necessary system that would
he implemented and available for the public benefit as soon as possible.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Public Health (PBH) Chapter 45, Article 2-8, Section 291

01/05122 S7324 - REFERRED TO HEALTH

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.