How Many Pounds of Unused Drugs have North Reading Police Collected? 100? 200? Keep Going.

The North Reading Police and Community Impact Team’s Drug-Take Back Program has collected 260 pounds of unused drugs this year.

“Our prescription drug take back program is a simple and practical solution for the proper and safe disposal of potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted medications," said Police Chief Michael Murphy in a Twitter post. "Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends’ medicine cabinets. Our take-back program can help eliminate these unused medications, reducing misuse, abuse, and accidental poisoning. The easiest, safest way to dispose of medications is by utilizing our prescription drug kiosk, located in the police lobby.”

A sharps take-back kiosk is also located in the North Reading Police Station. Both sharps and unused drugs can be dropped off in the lobby kiosks without appointment every day at any time.

Drug-Free Communities Grant Project Coordinator Leah Maihos added, “We encourage everyone to remove unused drugs from their home. However, we recognize that for some, getting to the police station may be a challenge.”

To encourage people to dispose of unused drugs, the Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash.

“This is a great solution for people who can’t get to the take-back kiosk,” Maihos explained. “The bags hold up 45 pills and can also be used to deactivate up to six medical patches and six ounces of liquids.” To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Leah Maihos at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call (978)357-5281.