OGDENSBURG -- St. Lawrence County residents can bring their unused, unwanted and expired prescription medicines to a special event for free, safe disposal July 22.

Sen. Ritchie is teaming with St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells and the Ogdensburg Police Department to sponsor the free event July 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Ogdensburg Fire Station, 718 Ford Street.

Sheriff Wells said the event will help reduce the amount of prescrciption pill abuse, which is directly linked to the county’s heroin problem.

“Pill abuse has been directly linked to the growing problem of heroin usage across the US, and there have been a number of stories nationally involving abusers who break into homes, especially those belonging to seniors, in search of unused drugs,” Sheriff Wells said. “Properly disposing of drugs you no longer need or want helps keep these pills from getting into the wrong hands.”

Ogdensburg Police Chief Richard Polniak Jr. agreed.

“I’m very pleased to join Sen. Ritchie and Sheriff Wells in sponsoring this event, which provides an important service to our communities, keeps our children safer, protects our environment and helps stop drug abuse,” Chief Polniak said.

Ritchie said the event is chance for residents to dispose of dangerous expired prescription drugs.

“Nearly everyone has leftover, unwanted or expired prescription drugs lying somewhere around the house,” Sen. Ritchie said. “But these pills can pose a danger to children and pets, they can find their way into the hands of pill abusers, and improper disposal threatens our water, lakes and streams. Events like this allow people to get rid of unneeded medicine in a safe and responsible way.”

There is no limit to the number or type of medicines that residents may bring for disposal. Needles, sharps and liquid medicines will not be accepted.

Last year, Americans filled a record 4 billion prescriptions, and it is estimated that millions of pills sit unused in consumers’ medicine cabinets.

In addition to the July 22 event, St. Lawrence County residents may also dispose of unwanted medicines seven days a week, at the Sheriff’s Office, 48 Court St., Canton.