Prescription Drug Take-Back Program Yields Over 700lbs of Drugs

The North Reading Police and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Drug-Take Back Program collected 716 pounds of unused drugs in 2018. This total represents an increase of over sixty percent compared to unused drugs collected in 2017. Police Chief Murphy explained, “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. 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 to safely dispose of needles. Both sharps and unused drugs can be dropped off in the lobby kiosks without appointment every day at any time.

The increase in use of the take-back program can be credited to volunteers and residents. Chief Murphy noted, “An increase in more than sixty percent use of the drop off kiosk is outstanding. Clearly, the work of our Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition to get the program out there and known is working. Also, citizens are more aware than ever and understand the important role they can play at keeping their own homes safe.”

Drug-Free Communities Grant Project Coordinator Amy Luckiewicz 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,” Luckiewicz explained. To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call (978)357-5054.