drug take-back day

Stoneham Police Dispose of Nearly 190 Pounds of Drugs On Take Back Day

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Stoneham Police Dispose of Nearly 190 Pounds of Drugs On Take Back Day

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre is very pleased to report that the Stoneham Police Department, working once again in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), disposed of 189 pounds of unwanted and unneeded prescription medications during National Drug Take Back Day last month.

The prescription medications were collected thorough the police department’s unwanted medication kiosk , located in the lobby of the station. On Oct. 27, the medications were then turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.

“Every dose of unwanted and expired prescription drugs we can remove from circulation during these take-back day events is one fewer chance for them to end up in the wrong hands,” Chief McIntyre said. “I am very pleased with the turnout once again this year, and I want to thank the DEA for their partnership in this great community initiative.”

National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event coordinated by the DEA and police departments. The event gives the public an opportunity to prevent substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in their possession. The DEA accepted pills and patches, but does not take liquids, needles, or sharps.

During its 16th Take Back Day on Oct. 27, the DEA, and more than 4,700 law enforcement agencies in all 50 state collected 914,236 pounds (about 457 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs. Nearly 11 million pounds have been collected in total during the 16 semi-annual take-back days.

This initiative addresses a vital public health issue. Easily accessible, unused prescriptions in homes are highly susceptible to abuse and misuse. Studies have shown that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Residents are advised to avoid disposing of unused medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage, as these methods have potential safety and health risks.

Residents who were unable to attend the National Drug Take Back Day can also drop off their prescription drugs at the Stoneham Police Department’s MedReturn kiosk in the police station lobby, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA Take Back Day website or contact Stoneham Police at 781-438-1215.

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Wakefield Police Collect Nearly 300 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Following National Take Back Day

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Wakefield Police Department
Rick Smith, Chief of Police
1 Union St.
Wakefield, MA 01880

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 17, 2018

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

Wakefield Police Collect Nearly 300 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Following National Take Back Day

WAKEFIELD – Chief Rick Smith is pleased to announce that the Wakefield Police Department turned over nearly 300 pounds of unwanted, unneeded or expired prescriptions to the Drug Enforcement Administration following its Drug Take Back Day on April 28.

The 299.3 pounds of drugs were turned in by residents as part of the Wakefield Police Department’s participation in the DEA’s national Take Back Day initiative, which it holds twice yearly.

Together with a record-setting amount of local, state and federal partners, the

DEA collected and destroyed close to one million pounds—nearly 475 tons—of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs, making it the most successful event in DEA history.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

“These results are remarkable and a true reflection of our residents’ commitment to do their part to fight the deadly drug epidemic,” Chief Smith said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep these potentially deadly drugs from reaching our streets.”

Residents who missed the National Drug Take Back Day can also drop off their prescription drugs and sharps any time at the respective kiosks at the Wakefield Public Safety Building.

About National Drug Take Back Day:

National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event coordinated by the DEA and local police departments. The designated day gives the public an opportunity to prevent substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in their possession. The DEA will accept pills and patches but cannot take liquids, needles, or sharps.

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Melrose Police Department to Participate in Drug Take Back Day

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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 23, 2018

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

Melrose Police Department to Participate in Drug Take Back Day

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle reports the Melrose Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.

On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be available at the Melrose Police Station, 56 West Foster St., to collect prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is free of charge.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. The last event on Oct. 28 brought in 912,305 pounds —456 tons— of drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. Since the fall of 2010, 9,015,668 pounds (4,508 tons) of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected.

“Every year we partner with the DEA to remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs from residents’ homes,” Chief Lyle said. “We encourage anyone with expired or unwanted prescription drugs to stop by the police department this weekend to safely dispose of them.”

Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

As part of Take Back Day, the Melrose Police Department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.

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Stoneham Police Collect Nearly 200 Pounds of Drugs During Take Back Day

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STONEHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: [email protected]

Stoneham Police Collect Nearly 200 Pounds of Drugs During Take Back Day

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre is pleased to announce that the Stoneham Police Department turned in 198.8 pounds of expired and unused medications to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this past weekend.

Residents turned in their drugs on April 29, during the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, as well as through the department’s collection kiosk in the station’s lobby and two additional take back events conducted in town.

“I truly appreciate the commitment on the part of Stoneham’s citizens to regularly participate in efforts to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs,” Chief McIntyre said. “These take back events are just one example of the ways that the police department and the community can work together to do our part to fight the nationwide opioid epidemic, and we are happy to continue working alongside the DEA to remove these dangerous drugs from our community.”

National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event coordinated by the DEA and police departments. The designated day gives the public an opportunity to prevent substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in their possession. The DEA accepted pills and patches but does not take liquids, needles, or sharps.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. In its 12 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have collected over 7.1 million pounds — more than 3,500 tons — of pills.

Residents who missed the National Drug Take Back Day can also drop off their prescription drugs at the Stoneham Police Department’s MedReturn kiosk, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website, or contact the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.

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