NORTH READING — The North Reading Police Department (NRPD) and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medication.
The next Rx Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the O’Leary Senior Center front parking lot. The service is free and anonymous. Pet medication is also accepted.
According to the DEA, unused or expired medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in the nation. The agency explains, “DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.”
Since 2016, the North Reading Police Department has collected and destroyed over 3,300 pounds of unused prescription drugs.
In order to maintain safety and efficiency, residents can remain in their vehicles during the drop-off event. Signs will direct cars to enter one way, drop off their unused medications directly into bins held by NRPD Detectives, and exit as directed under the guidance of NRPD officers. Unused drugs can also be dropped off at the NRPD lobby drug drop-off box 24/7 without an appointment.
The Community Impact Team is also now offering free medication lock boxes. Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz explained, “This year, we’re adding lock boxes into our plan for prevention. Adults can lock their prescription, CBD and marijuana products in a safe way to keep away from those who shouldn’t have access.”
In addition, non-toxic drug deactivation bags are available free to the community. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive and are suitable for pills, patches, and liquid medications. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash. Residents are reminded that flushing medications can create a negative environmental impact.
To order a lock box or deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call 978-357-5054. Lock boxes and deactivation bags are also able to be delivered to all Meals on Wheels clients in partnership with the O’Leary Senior Center, are available at the Food Pantry, and can be delivered to home mailboxes.
If you or someone you know is in need of substance use or mental health assistance, please call Laura Miranda at 978-357-5038 or email lmiranda@nrpd.org.
