Police departments and pharmacies around the Hudson Valley held Prescription Take Back Day, where people can easily dispose of drugs.

Stephanie Marquesano, the founder of the Harris Project, says her son Harris was only 19 years old when he suffered an accidental overdose eight years ago.

She says that she supports the Drug Enforcement Administration's initiative.

State Sen. Pete Harckham, a major supporter of the initiative, says drug addiction often starts with leftover medications from family medicine cabinets.

Drug enforcement authorities say that each annual Drug Take Back event collects nearly 500,000 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired medications that might be accidentally ingested or intentionally sold illegally.

Select CVS and Walgreens participated in the event.