Middlefield Resident Troopers Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs on October 22nd

Middlefield, October 1, 2016: On October 22^nd from 10 am – 2 pm the Connecticut State Police, Troop F and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. This effort to allow for safe, legal, and environmentally-friendly disposal of prescription drugs is a free and anonymous service to all residents; with no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal to the Middlefield Resident Troopers Office (405 Main Street) or the Durham Resident Troopers Office (24 Townhouse Road).

This effort reduces the risk of prescription drugs being consumed inappropriately – either by accident or through illegal sale or possession. 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. 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 – both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in previous take back events, DEA and its partners have taken on over 6.4 million pounds-more than 3,200 tons – of pills.

Resident Troopers will continue to conduct these events to decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in homes, reducing access and misuse, especially among youth.

The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is planned, staffed, and provided as a continuing proactive effort by The Connecticut State Police, Troop F to prevent drug abuse before it happens in our community. This event is supported by The Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition.

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