For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

East Bridgewater Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

E-Cigarette and Vaping Products Now Accepted

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

East Bridgewater Police Department, 153 Central St.

WHAT:

National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs.

“The East Bridgewater Police Department has seen great support for National Drug Take Back Day in the past, and we look forward to another successful event later this month,” Chief Allen said. “These medications often sit unused in a drawer or in a medicine cabinet, where they could be stolen or accidentally ingested by a child. This is an excellent chance for us to get these drugs out of circulation.”

Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 469 tons (more than 937,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Locally, more than 80,000 pounds of drugs were collected in Massachusetts, 160 pounds of which were collected in East Bridgewater.

Overall, in its 17 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11.8 million pounds of pills. 

As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids, needles or sharps. 

New this year, sites will be collecting vaping pens and e-cigarette devices as well, after batteries are removed.

According to the DEA, vaping pens with batteries still in them are a different waste stream designation and are considered a potential fire hazard. For devices that have batteries that cannot be removed, residents are asked to call their local hazardous waste management facility or check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the devices for proper disposal.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about the Oct. 26 Take Back Day or for complete results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com. Information from East Bridgewater Police Department can be found at www.ebpd.org as well on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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