MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Chief Todd Fitzgerald is pleased to announce that the Manchester-By-the-Sea Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be participating in the 20th National Drug Take Back Day later this month.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Behind the Manchester-By-the-Sea Police Department, 10 Central St.
WHAT:
Twice a year, law enforcement agencies across the country hold National Drug Take Back Day events in partnership with the DEA to reduce the amount of unused, expired or unwanted prescription medications in the community.
The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives that year.
Residents are advised that most misused prescription drugs were taken from family and friends, frequently their home medicine cabinet, according to the survey.
“Taking prescription medications out of the home is a key step in protecting loved ones who may be struggling with substance use,” Chief Fitzgerald said. “We encourage any residents who have medications they no longer need or that have expired to stop by so that we can safely dispose of them.”
National Drug Take Back Day is a free, no-questions-asked event. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not needles or sharps. Liquids like cough syrup will be accepted as long as they are sealed tightly in their original container.
All sharps can be disposed of at the Board of Health Office in Town Hall, at the Manchester by the Sea Fire Department, or via a sharps container from a local pharmacy.
Drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.
The Manchester-By-The-Sea Police Department also has a permanent box for the proper disposal of unwanted medications in the lobby of the police station.
The community is also reminded that masks will be required at both the Manchester-By-the-Sea Police Department’s National Drug Take Back Day event and any time residents visit the drug disposal kiosk during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about this month’s Take Back Day or for results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
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