Police Chief Michael Murphy and Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz would like to share that the North Reading Police Department and Community Impact Team‘s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are again partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medications.
When:
Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:
Parking lot of Edith A. O’Leary Senior Center, 157 Park St., North Reading, MA
What:
North Reading Police and the Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition will partner with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Since 2017, the North Reading Police Department and partners have collected 2,185 pounds of unused and unwanted drugs via drug take back events, helping make the community safer from the dangers of prescription medications.
The service is free. Pet medications are also accepted.
In order to maintain safety, residents can remain in their vehicles. Signs will direct cars to enter one way, drop off their unused medications directly into bins, and exit as directed under the guidance of North Reading Police Department officers.
Residents who have difficulty getting to the event also have another option: The Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags to those who can’t make it to the drop off event.
The 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.
“We know that many people still flush unused drugs down the toilet, but this can cause damage to the environment and water systems,” said Drug-Free Director Amy Luckiewicz. “The sealable bags are a great solution for people who can’t get to the Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”
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. To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or 978-357-5054.