Art Reed, Police Chief
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985
West Newbury Health Department
Paul Sevigny, Health Agent
381 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985
For Immediate Release
Monday, April 23, 2018
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
West Newbury Police and Health Departments to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day
WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Health Agent Paul Sevigny announce that the West Newbury Police and Public Health Departments will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be available at the West Newbury Police Station, 401 Main St., to collect prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is free of charge.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. The last event on Oct. 28 brought in 912,305 pounds —456 tons— of drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. Since the fall of 2010, 9,015,668 pounds (4,508 tons) of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected.
“We want the community to take advantage of this event to dispose of old or unwanted prescriptions,” Chief Reed said. “It’s so important that residents are mindful of what may be left in their cabinets at home and to get rid of any unused medications to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.”
Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Chief Reed would like to remind residents that while the West Newbury Police Department will only accept pills and patches during Take Back Day, residents who wish to dispose of sharps can do so at the health department.
As of July 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health banned the disposal of household medical sharps in regular trash. West Newbury residents can drop off used sharps at the Board of Heath office, 381 Main St., Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment.
Sharps must be disposed using an official sharps container. Residents may purchase official sharps containers at the Board of Health office for a minimal cost. Prices range from $1 to $15 depending on the size of the container.
“Please use this Drug Take Back Day event as a reminder to also always properly dispose of medical sharps,” said Sevigny. “Never throw sharps away in regular trash, as this could potentially pose a risk to other family members as well as recycling and trash collection workers.”
For more information about National Drug Take Back Day, visit the DEA website by clicking here.
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