HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (AP) - According to a new report, more than half of Suffolk County, Long Island's medical and health facilities flush their unused medications, which then wind up in the water supply.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment found that of the 59 facilities it reviewed, 51% reported flushing medications down the toilet.
Newsday reports that a quarter of the facilities use a reverse distributor service to collect the unused drugs. It says 12% participate in a take-back program sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
The Farmingdale environment group is pushing for new state legislation and guidelines that would ban flushing of medications.
Legislator William Spencer said some facilities flush medications to prevent substances like morphine and Percocet from getting into the hands of others.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:27:43 GMT
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:13:45 GMT
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
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