LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 27, 2013, as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with 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 27, 2013, as
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with 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 fifth
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day turned in 488,395 pounds (244
tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at
the 5,263 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S.
territories; and
WHEREAS, When the results of the five prior Prescription Drug Take-
Back Days are combined, the DEA, and its state, local, and tribal law-
enforcement and community partners have removed more than 2,000,000
pounds (1,018 tons) of medication from circulation; and
WHEREAS, The five Prescription Drug Take-Back Days to date have
dramatically 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 27, 2013, as
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with 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.