NORTH SHORE – (Radio & Video) In today’s program Bill Newell and Rick Moore review top news stories from around the area. In the news; there were two school bus accidents yesterday with north shore connections, Beverly’s Franco American Club is penalized, and students speak out on anti – Semitism.
Below, information from Rockport and Saugus following the recent prescription drug drop off initiative.
North Shore Today Radio 5/6/2016
ROCKPORT – Chief John Horvath is pleased to announce that the Rockport Police Department took back a total of 104 pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs on National Drug Take Back Day last weekend.
The 104 pounds of drugs were collected in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at the Rockport Police Station on April 30. Residents were encouraged to turn in their unused, unwanted, and expired prescriptions to the police department. The event was free and anonymous.
“Events like Drug Take Back Day are a great way to provide more resources to our community,” Chief Horvath said. “It is encouraging to see residents take advantage of these planned events and keep themselves and others safe in the process.”
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 its partners have taken in over 4.8 million pounds of drugs.
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.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website or contact Rockport Police at 978-546-1212.
SAUGUS – Chief Domenic DiMella is pleased to announce that the Saugus Police Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), collected 90 pounds of drugs during its National Drug Take Back Day last Saturday.
Residents were encouraged to visit the Saugus Police Station, 27 Hamilton St. on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to dispose of their unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs. The event was free and anonymous. All drugs and substances were then discarded by the DEA.
This was the 11th Drug Take Back event hosted by the Saugus Police Department in the past six years. The purpose of these events is to give residents a safe, anonymous, free place to dispose of potentially dangerous drugs and to prevent pill abuse.
“These take back events are very successful in our community,” Chief DiMella said. “We value our community’s safety and will continue to do everything in our power as officers to help fight the opioid epidemic sweeping Massachusetts.”
About National Drug Take Back Day:
Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
The Drug Take Back initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicine that sits in home cabinets are highly susceptible to 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. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, please visit the DEA Diversion website or sauguspd.com.
