In line with legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June 2014, police departments across New York State have implemented antidrug initiatives to combat the growing problem of drug abuse in our communities.
One of these initiatives is an anonymous drug drop-box, which is located in the main lobby of the Port Washington Police District (PWPD) at 500 Port Washington Blvd., and is open 24/7.
Chief James Salerno of the PWPD explained the purpose of the box: “The drop-box is important as it allows residents to safely dispose of their unused medications. The public no longer needs to wait for drug ‘take back’ days [at their pharmacies] to drop off their medications,” he said. “All of this is being done in hopes of preventing these medications from falling into the wrong hands.”
Salerno explained that two major issues that arise from keeping drugs on the streets is that it runs the risk of teenagers and young adults getting a hold of these drugs and abusing them. He also mentioned that pill-based prescriptions often get flushed down into the sewer system; this affects the groundwater and, as a result, can contaminate communal drinking waters.
In addition to the drop-box, Nassau County has mobilized a heroin prevention task force in response to the antidrug laws. Its mission: To form a partnership of community, social and government agencies dedicated to reducing the demand for heroin in our communities; to educating our citizens of the prevalence of the heroin problem, the signs and symptoms of addiction and the resources available; to eliminating drug-related crime in our communities, through public education, advocacy, media, law enforcement and legislation, according to its website.
Salerno explained other ways the county is cracking down on drug abuse in the area. “[We] hold community forums where we address a variety of topics, one of which is opiate overdose and the use of Narcan [by our officers].”
Narcan, or Naloxone, is a nasal spray that is administered to an individual who has overdosed on opioids. Certain opioids, like heroin, can be fatal since too much of it can cause the user to stop breathing. Narcan temporarily reverses these effects and helps the victim resume normal breathing. “Education is important and we encourage people to get trained in the use of Narcan,” he added. “We, as well as departments in Suffolk County, have trained our officers how to administer the spray.”
Detective Michael Alberti of the PWPD believes this training is crucial to combating drug-related crime, especially since the problem doesn’t seem to be going away. “Arrest[s] are up, also the crimes that come with drug [abuse] are up,” he said. Alberti said larceny from cars and stores is another crime associated with drug-related issues.
Alberti described the measures the department is taking to combat these issues, stating, “We have formed a narcotics task force and they monitor the prescription drugs that are abused. Also, every person that is arrested gets debriefed by a detective for narcotics activity.”
Jose Moran, a resident of Port Washington, said he was unaware that his local police station had a drug drop-box, but believes that the crackdown on narcotics is necessary. “Drug abuse can lead to an unhealthy community,” he said. In regards to the heroin prevention task force, he said, “I hope it brings drug-related arrests down.”
