Marblehead Police Take-Back Drug Day Efforts

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead police said they dispose of more than 2,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medications each year as they look to support the Drug Enforcement Agency's National Take Back Day this weekend.

Marblehead police have two disposal containers at the station that are available 24 hours a day. Needles and other "sharps" can be brought to the Board of Health office on Widger Road during normal business hours.

"Our department disposes of over 2,000 pounds of unwanted medications annually in an effort to address a crucial public safety and public health issue," police said.

Unused and expired medications left around the house can fall into the wrong hands and be consumed or redistributed.

It is not recommended that you throw these medications out or flush them down the toilet as they can find their way into soil and groundwater supplies.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)