Granby Police To Hold Drug Collection

The abuse and availability of prescription pharmaceuticals is a growing concern in towns across the state.  On Saturday April 30 The Granby Police Department will do its part to reduce the availability of these drugs in town.

"We did this last year in conjunction with federal agencies," said Granby Police Sgt. Robert Castle.  "It seems to have reasonably good response."

Residents are encouraged to go through their medicine cabinets and pull out any unused or expired prescriptions and take them to the "Got Drugs?" drop-off event at the Granby Police Department.

In January, the Avon, Simsbury, and Canton Police departments joined forces to hold their first drug drop-off event. The departments collected and disposed of 327 different prescription medications, according to Simsbury Chief of Police Peter Ingvertsen.

"It went very well," Ingvertsen said.  "I hope to do it again next year."

Castle explained that in addition to curbing abuse of certain prescription drugs, the program is also intended to prevent these drugs from entering landfills and ultimately the water supply.

"The idea is to get these drugs out of people's medicine cabinets, to avoid abuse or someone flushing them down the toilet and the drugs entering the water supply," Castle said.

The department will collect most controlled drugs but will not take used needles or syringes.  All drugs that are collected will be turned over to the state for proper disposal.

Granby residents can drop off their used and expired prescription medications at the Granby Police Department on April 30 from 10 a.m until 2 p.m.