For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 24, 2018

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

Dartmouth Police Seeing Increased Success With Prescription Drug Take Back Program

DARTMOUTH — Chief Brian P. Levesque reports that the Dartmouth Police Department’s prescription drug take back program has seen increased success so far this year.

The department has collected and destroyed approximately 111 pounds of unused and unwanted prescription drugs this year. This time last year, the department had collected approximately 45 pounds.

“I am glad to see that the program has seen more than double the amount of unwanted drugs collected between this year and last year,” Chief Levesque said. “In Dartmouth, we are committed to providing an avenue for residents to safely dispose of unused medications throughout the year. If anyone wants to get rid of their old pills, they can do so at the station any time.”

To go along with Dartmouth’s success, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced that National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, held on April 28, was a record-setting day for the initiative.

The DEA’s 15th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected and destroyed close to one million pounds—nearly 475 tons— of potentially dangerous prescription drugs, making it the most successful event in DEA history.

The total amount of prescription drugs collected by the DEA since the fall of 2010 is now 9,964,714 pounds, or 4,982 tons.

Residents can drop off their prescription drugs at any time in the collection box located in the Dartmouth Police Department’s lobby.

###