The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced December 28 the list of pharmacies, hospitals and long-term care facilities participating in New York's take back pilot drug program. The program covers the costs of consumer drug collection boxes and disposal for two years, and will officially begin accepting waste medications in April. "Implementation of this pilot program will help improve water quality, protect public health by removing medications from home medicine cabinets, and reduce potential adverse impacts to fish and aquatic organisms," according to the DEC. Local facilities taking part in the program include the Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy on Route 9 in Valatie; Saugerties Pharmacy on Main Street in Saugerties; and, the Village Apothecary on Tinker Street in Woodstock. Read the full press release at DEC [dot] NY [dot] gov.