Westchester County government has enlisted the help of area pharmacies in its ongoing effort to educate parents and their teens about the dangers of underage prescription drug abuse.

“Underage prescription drug use is on the rise, becoming a bigger problem that underage drinking and drug use,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “Through this initiative, pharmacists will help get the word out to parents by distributing brochures.”

The initiative was proposed by the Westchester County Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth, a coalition of local groups that are working to combat underage drinking and drug use.

One pamphlet that pharmacists will be providing to their customers outlines ways in which parents can prevent their children from getting involved with this growing wave of prescription drug use. The other specifically addresses cough medicine abuse and is available in English and Spanish. County pharmacies ranging from large chains to small family-owned businesses responded to a letter from Spano to participate. The following are among the participants:

• Ashburton Prescription Center, Yonkers
• Baba Pharmacy, Yonkers
• Baxter’s Pharmacy, Peekskill
• Bedford Rexall Pharmacy, Bedford
• Broadway Pharmacy, White Plains
• Buchanan Pharmacy, Peekskill
• Cross Pharmacy, Cross River
• CVS Pharmacy, Pelham
• Esther Pharmacy, Yonkers
• Grabel’s Apothecary, New Rochelle
• Gramatan Pharmacy (Circle RX), Mount Vernon
• Hartsdale Pharmacy and Surgical Supplies, Hartsdale
• Hudson Pharmacy and Surgical Supplies, Ossining
• Jefferson Valley Pharmacy, Jefferson Valley
• JNR Pharmacy, South Salem
• Ligett-Rexall, Ardsley
• Marinelli’s Village Pharmacy, Elmsford
• Pleasantville Pharmacy, Pleasantville
• Prescription Plus, Briarcliff Manor
• Rite Aid, Ardsley
• Rite Aid, Peekskill
• Stanley Pharmacy, Yonkers
• Town Center Pharmacy, Armonk
• Valuable Drugs, White Plains

Learn more about underage prescription drug abuse at Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

For additional information about the pharmacist iniative, contact Thomas Meier, Director of Drug Prevention and STOP-DWI at (914) 995-4115 or tam7@westchestergov.com