Framingham Police To Host Medication Take Back Event

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham Police Department and Medical Reserve Corps have partnered for a drug and medication takeback day which includes prescription pills, liquid medications, patches and ointments.

"The general public is welcome to drop off these items free of charge and do so anonymously," police said.

City Hall will host the event on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and those interested in dropping off medications should enter through Union Avenue as it is a one-way, drive-thru collection event.

With the event, police hope to do their part in providing the public a way to get medications out of the home rather than allow for a greater possibility of misuse. They explained:

"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."