Bedford Police Holding Drug Take Back Day

BEDFORD, MA — Chief Robert Bongiorno has announced that the Bedford Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this week, according to a press release. On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be on-hand at the Bedford Police Department, 2 Mudge Way, to collect unwanted prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted or unneeded prescriptions. The event is completely free of charge for all.

"Every bottle of expired, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions drugs that we can remove from circulation represents one less chance for drugs to end up in the wrong hands, accidentally or otherwise," Bongiorno said in a statement. "The Bedford Police Department is proud to participate in this nationwide program, and I encourage everyone with old or extra prescriptions lying around to stop by on the 28th."

The Drug Take Back Day is a semi-annual event that is administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the last event, on April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

"Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs."

Bedford Police will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps. To arrange for the disposal of those items, contact the Bedford Board of Health at 781-275-6507.

The Bedford Police Department also offers a prescription drug drop box in its lobby, which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the upcoming Take Back Day, go to the DEA Diversion website.

Submitted by the Bedford Police. Image via DEA