County to Host Collection Sites for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
County Executive Molinaro’s 2020 Budget to include expanded funding for ‘Breaking Through’ initiatives to combat addiction

Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro encourages residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, October 26th. Residents are encouraged to dispose of all unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs safely and anonymously at any of the 10 permanent drop-off locations at law enforcement facilities throughout Dutchess County. Saturday’s drop-off events align with County Executive Molinaro’s continued funding for initiatives to combat addiction and mental health issues in his 2020 Executive Budget (see below).

Representatives from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program will be on hand at three locations throughout the county from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, encouraging residents to utilize the 10 medication drop boxes located throughout Dutchess County – not just on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, but every day – and distributing information about the Dutchess County Prescription Medication Drop Box Program.

Saturday’s take-back day is the latest in Dutchess County’s ongoing efforts at “Breaking Through” the stigma of addiction and mental health issues, helping those looking help find their road to recovery. County Executive Molinaro will discuss the County’s new “Breaking Through” initiatives when he presents his Executive Budget Address on Wednesday, October 30th at 10 a.m. in the Legislative Chambers, located on the sixth floor of the County Office Building, 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.

County Executive Molinaro said, “The opioid crisis is the public health epidemic of our lifetime, and every resident can play a role in combatting it by cleaning out their medicine cabinets and safely disposing of unwanted and unneeded medications so they don’t fall in the hands of those who might abuse them. Our Prescription Medication Drop Box Program is one of many ways we’re ‘Breaking Through.’ ”
 
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and STOP-DWI representatives will host drop-off events at the following locations this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

• Fresh Town Plaza, 5094 Route 22, Amenia
• Walmart, 26 West Merritt Boulevard, Fishkill
• Walgreens, 704 Freedom Plains Road, Poughkeepsie

Also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department will host a collection site at the Poughkeepsie Galleria (JCPenney parking lot), 2001 South Road, Poughkeepsie; and the Village of Rhinebeck Police Department will also have a collection event at its station, located at 14 Center Street.

County Executive Molinaro’s 2020 budget supports and expands Dutchess County’s ongoing efforts to break through the stigma of mental illness and addiction while combating the opioid epidemic, including: 

• increased public outreach and messaging;
• placing a recovery coach in the City of Poughkeepsie;
• expanding access with a Mobile Unit to serve eastern Dutchess County;
• increasing availability of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Dutchess County Jail and, in conjunction with state and community partners, the expansion of MAT at local emergency departments; and 
• ensuring a “no wrong door” approach for individuals with physical and mental health concerns.

The County Executive’s Budget Address can be viewed live on the County’s website, dutchessny.gov. Later that evening on the 30th, at 6:30 p.m., County Executive Molinaro and Budget Director Jessica White will host a countywide tele-town hall forum when residents will have the opportunity to participate in a live conversation about the 2020 county budget, learn key details, ask questions and share feedback. County Executive Molinaro will also host a series of 2020 Executive Budget town hall forum events held throughout the county during the month of November.