Paul A. Nikas, Chief of Police
15 Elm St.
Ipswich, MA 01938
For Immediate Release
Monday, April 3, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
*Media Advisory* Ipswich Police to Host Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Touch-A-Truck Event
IPSWICH — Chief Paul Nikas announces that the Ipswich Police Department and Ipswich Aware are teaming up to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Touch-A-Truck event later this month.
The day of events promises to bring together the community to get up close and personal with trucks and public safety vehicles and receive vital information and resources about expired and unwanted prescription drugs.
When:
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:
Ipswich High School, 134 High St.
Who:
Ipswich Aware is a multi-disciplinary collaborative of key stakeholders throughout Ipswich working to address the issue of drug addiction in the Ipswich community. Members of the Ipswich Police Department and other town leaders will be on hand for the event.
What:
The Ipswich Police Department will be providing safe and secure prescription drug disposal for all members of the Ipswich community.
At the same time, Touch-A-Truck brings your child’s favorite public safety and construction vehicles to life so children can learn about local police, fire and emergency services while exploring real-life fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles.
“We are looking to create a welcoming atmosphere that will encourage families to come out on a Saturday in the springtime,” Chief Nikas said. “National Drug Take Back Day is an incredibly important national initiative, and I encourage any resident with excess or expired prescription drugs to stop by so that we can safely dispose of the substances. Every dose of unwanted or unneeded medicine we can take out of circulation is one fewer opportunity for abuse, accidental ingestion, or victimization by someone looking to steal medication from a resident. If you don’t need it, don’t keep it!”
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a program run by the Drug Enforcement Administration that addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
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