Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net
East Bridgewater Police Participated in Record National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott C. Allen reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department participated in a record-breaking National Prescription Drug Take Back Day last month.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was held on April 28. East Bridgewater residents turned in approximately 160 pounds of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications as part of the East Bridgewater Police Department’s participation in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative.
Together with a record-setting amount of local, state and federal partners, the DEA’s 15th annual Take Back Day collected and destroyed close to one million pounds—nearly 475 tons— of potentially dangerous 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.
The total amount of prescription drugs collected by the DEA since the fall of 2010 is now 9,964,714 pounds, or 4,982 tons.
“We take the disposal of unneeded medication in partnership with the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day very seriously,” Chief Allen said. “Getting rid of expired or unwanted prescription drugs can keep them from being misused or stolen.”
Residents who missed National Prescription Drug Take Back Day can still drop off their unwanted prescription drugs at any time in the collection box located in the East Bridgewater Police Department’s lobby.
About National Prescription Drug Take Back Day:
National Prescription 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.
Complete results for the DEA’s fall Take Back Day are available at www.deatakeback.com. The DEA’s next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 27.
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