BEDFORD — Town Manager Sarah Stanton and Chief Robert Bongiorno are pleased to announce the Bedford Police Department held a successful collection of unwanted medications on National Drug Take Back Day.
National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community an opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs.
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.
At an event held Oct. 23 at the Bedford Police Station, over 34 pounds of medications were collected from those who no longer need the medications.
“Many individuals who struggle with substance use disorders were first exposed to opioids via prescription medications, so every tablet and every pound of unwanted medications that we can help residents secure is potentially a life saved,” said Detective Lt. Scott Jones. “We were pleased by the results of this event, and we always encourage the community to also utilize kiosks that are available 24 hours per day in our police station lobby for both medications and sharps and needles.”
A collaboration between the Bedford Board of Health, Bedford Police Department and Bedford Fire Department led to the installation of MedReturn Drug Collection kiosks several years ago at the Bedford Police Department and at the Bedford Fire Department, 55 Great Road, Bedford, MA.
The Drug Collection kiosks accept prescription and over-the counter medications; prescription patches, ointments and samples; vitamins; and, medications for pets. Items that are not acceptable for disposal in the kiosk include: non-prescription ointments, lotions and liquids; hydrogen peroxide; aerosol cans; inhalers; and, thermometers.
Sharps and needles need to be separated from medication and disposed of in a separate Medical Sharps Kiosk that is also located in the lobby of the Bedford Police Department at 2 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA.
