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Kinney Drugs Inc. announced today it will hold a Medicine Collection Day at the Kinney Drugs store located at 288 Cornelia Street in Plattsburgh on Saturday, August 8th. The purpose of the event is to encourage the community to drop off unused or expired medications at the collection so they can be properly destroyed in order to help prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and environmental pollution.

The proper disposal of medications has increasingly become an issue of environmental and safety concern across the United States. According to a study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 70 to 80 percent of substance abusers said they took medications that belonged to a friend or relative. In addition, pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking water of at least 41 million Americans, according to a March 2008 Associated Press investigation.

"Public safety remains one of our top priorities and commitments to our local communities. Improperly disposing of medication can still pose a serious threat to the safety of the public and Kinney Drugs urges the community to use the Medicine Collection Day event as a means of disposal for expired or unused medications," said Michael Duteau, R. Ph., director of pharmacy operations for Kinney Drugs. "After our pharmacists sort the substances, they will be properly destroyed by law enforcement at a federally licensed facility."

Narcotics will be accepted for destruction during the event. Examples of narcotic prescriptions include codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and morphine. Also accepted are other prescription and over-the-counter medicines, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, medication vials and pet medications. Not accepted are illegal drugs, biohazardous materials, needles, personal care products and household hazardous wastes like paint or pesticides.

Medication brought to the drop-off must remain in the original bottle or package with the name of the product clearly visible. However, personal names and addresses may be removed or blocked out. All medicine will be surrendered to the Clinton County Sheriff's Department upon completion of the event.

Medicine Collection Day will be held from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Kinney Drugs location on Cornelia Street. The event is free and open to the public.

About Kinney Drugs:

Kinney Drugs is a leading community pharmacy and retail business. Founded in 1903 by Burt Orrin Kinney, the company has gradually grown into a network of 88 stores in central and northern New York and Vermont. Kinney Drugs operates its own distribution warehouse to service its retail locations.

The company also operates three divisions that bring healthcare services to the customer outside of the retail environment. These include ProAct, Inc., a full service prescription benefit management company, HealthDirect institutional pharmacy services and HealthDirect mail order pharmacy services. Kinney Drugs is an employee-owned company headquartered in upstate New York. For more information, visit www.kinneydrugs.com.