LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 26, 2014, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious concerns that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Saturday, April 26, 2014, as
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day; and
WHEREAS, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was initiated in
2010 by the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Admin-
istration (DEA) in an attempt to rid homes of accumulated unwanted,
unused or expired prescription drugs in a safe and convenient way; and
WHEREAS, Last year, Americans who participated in the DEA's sixth
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day collected 742,497 pounds (371
tons), 50% more than the previous year, of prescription medication from
members of the public at more than 5,829 locations by 4,312 state,
local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that partnered with DEA on
the event; and
WHEREAS, When added to the collections from DEA's previous five Take-
Back events, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of prescription
medications have been removed from circulation; and
WHEREAS, The six Prescription Drug Take-Back Days to date have dramat-
ically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, as
well as increased awareness of this critical public health issue; and
WHEREAS, Prescription Drug Take-Back Day promotes drug abuse
prevention and public safety by providing communities with an environ-
mentally-safe, "no-questions asked" location to turn in prescription
drugs that are no longer needed or are expired; and
WHEREAS, Seventeen North Country law enforcement jurisdictions and
communities participated in an October 2011 event during which a total
of 571 pounds of prescription drugs were collected for safe disposal,
including 127.3 pounds from North Country nursing homes and long-term
care facilities; previously, in an April 30, 2011 event, 451 pounds of
prescription drugs were collected; as a result, more than 1,021 pounds
of prescription drugs were removed from North Country homes and streets
through this community action program; and
WHEREAS, According to the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, traces of drugs are being found in our lakes, rivers and
streams; some drugs pass largely unaltered through our wastewater treat-
ment plants and enter rivers and other waters; and
WHEREAS, In addition, fish and other aquatic wildlife are being
adversely affected, and there is documented concern that drug-resistant
bacteria may develop; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to increase knowledge and
attentiveness at both the State and local levels to protect both the
environment and the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 26, 2014, as
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York, in conjunction

with the observance of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.