For Immediate Release

Friday, April 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Littleton Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

LITTLETON — Chief Matthew King is pleased to announce the Littleton Police Department will be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this month.

On Saturday, April 29, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., residents can visit the Littleton Police Station, 500 Great Road, to dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs. The event is run in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and is free of charge.

To ensure privacy, residents can drive around to the rear of the police station and will be met by an officer to drop off any unwanted medications. The DEA will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.

“The devastating effects of the opioid crisis are still impacting nearly every community nationwide,” Chief King said. “Residents who have unused or unwanted prescriptions at home are strongly encouraged to take this opportunity to properly dispose of them, no questions asked.”

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month, 6.4 million Americans, ages 12 and over — 2.4 percent of the population — abuse prescription drugs more than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and methamphetamine combined. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The majority of those who abuse prescription drugs report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (more than 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds (more than 3,500 tons) of pills.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, or about the April 29 Drug Take Back Day, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control site.

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