For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 16, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day later this month.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be on-hand at the West Newbury Police Department (401 Main St.) to collect unwanted prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is completely free of charge for all.

“Every unwanted prescription left languishing in a medicine cabinet is another chance for drugs to end up in the wrong hands, accidentally or otherwise,” Chief Reed said. “The West Newbury Police Department is proud to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and I encourage all residents to scour their homes and turn in their unneeded prescriptions.”

The Drug Take Back Day is a semi-annual event that is administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the last event, on Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “That’s why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in – safely and anonymously – a record amount of prescription drugs.”

The department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps. To arrange for the disposal of those items, contact the West Newbury Board of Health at 978-363-1109.

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