NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray announces that the Newpuryport Police Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will participate in National Drug Take Back Day later this month.
Residents are encouraged to visit the police station, 4Â Green St., on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to dispose of their unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs. The event is free and anonymous. The DEA will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.
The initiative addresses the vital public health issue of removing easily accessible and unused prescriptions from people’s houses. 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 unused medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage, as these methods have potential safety and health risks.
“We are proud to be hosting a Drug Take Back event this year,” City Marshal Murray said. “Prescription drug abuse has had harmful effects on communities all over the country. We hope this event will encourage residents to come by the police department and dispose of their unused medications and prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.”
Last September, Americans turned in 309 tons (over 617,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and municipal law enforcement partners. Since the first Take Back event, the DEA and police agencies have taken in over 4.8 million pounds of drugs.
