NORTHAMPTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has announced their 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to take place this Saturday in fifteen local communities.
The event encourages proper disposal of unneeded medications, keeping residents safe as well as keeping them out of water sources and away from wild animals. More than 78,000 pounds of drugs have been safely disposed since 2011.
From the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office:
28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day draws 15 local communities this weekend
NORTHAMPTON – People in 15 area communities will have an opportunity to safely dispose of
unneeded drugs during the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday, October 25.
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, local police departments, the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office
and the county-based TRIAD initiative are again teaming up to organize and host the event.
“As a community, we have a responsibility to protect our families from the dangers of unused
medications. Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a simple but powerful step to
prevent misuse and accidental harm,” said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. “By safely
disposing of these drugs, we are safeguarding our environment and saving lives.”
Ten Hampshire County communities and five in Franklin County are gearing up for National Prescription
Drug Take Back Day in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency, a twice-yearly event that aims to encourage residents to drop off prescription or over-the-counter drugs for humans or pets in a collective effort to save lives by preventing misuse or accidental ingestion. Proper disposal of unneeded prescription and non-prescription drugs also keeps them out of water sources and landfills, preventing harm to wild animals and the environment.
Collections are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at police departments or public safety complexes in Deerfield, Easthampton, Erving, Hadley, Leverett, Montague, Pelham, Southampton, South Hadley, Sunderland and Williamsburg. Other drop-off sites are at Wildwood Elementary School on Strong Avenue in Amherst; the Town Common in Belchertown; Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Locust Street in Northampton; the Fire Station at 51 Huntington Road in Worthington.
More than 78,700 pounds of drugs have been safely disposed of since 2011 during Take Back Days offered twice annually and through permanent drug collection boxes stationed at area police departments.