The North Reading Police Department and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition hosted a drug take back day on Saturday, collecting over 200 pounds of unused medications.
Partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s national Drug Takeback Day event, residents were invited to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medication at the O’Leary Senior Center in a drive through fashion.
The event yielded over 207 pounds of unused drugs. The North Reading Police Department and the North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition have now collected over 3,008 pounds of unused drugs since May of 2017.
Additionally, the Coalition provided each car that drove through the event with a resource bag, and is offering drug deactivation bags to residents who could not attend. Resource bags contain information on local resources such as how to access mental wellness and substance use treatment services.
Drug deactivation 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 urged to not flush medication down toilets.
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 call (978) 357-5054.
“Drug take back days help us ensure that unused and unwanted medications do not end up in the wrong hands, and we are proud to partner with the Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition on this important annual event,” said Chief Zimmerman. “We are also pleased to be able to offer additional resources to those who could not attend.”
“Not only does the drug drop-off day help by ridding homes of unused medications, but it also helps us raise awareness,” said Drug Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz. “It’s an opportunity for the police to interact positively with the public, share resources, and help educate.”
The drive-through prescription drug drop off was started during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued due to the popularity of the format.
Residents may also drop off unused medications at the North Reading Police Department’s 24/7 drug drop-off box located in the lobby.