ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis is pleased to announce that the Essex Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Essex Public Safety Building parking lot, 11 John Wise Avenue, Essex
WHAT:
National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids, needles or sharps.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019 alone an estimated 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives.
The National Drug Take Back Day event will be held in a drive-thru format in the parking lot of the soon to be opened, new Essex Public Safety Building.
“We’re committed to working with our community to reduce substance use, and offering an opportunity for the safe disposal of unwanted prescription medications is a key part of that effort,” Chief Francis said. “It’s important to remove these drugs from households once they no longer are needed, and we hope the community takes advantage of this opportunity this weekend.”
Essex Police also have a permanent take back box at the Essex Public Safety building lobby for those who wish to dispose of prescriptions, but are unable to attend Take Back Day. Residents should note that no liquids, needles, sharps or inhalers can be dropped off at the kiosk.
The community is also reminded that masks and social distancing will be required at both the Essex 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 complete results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
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