Shrewsbury Holds Take Back Day For Prescription Drugs

SHREWSBURY, MA—Get rid of those pills in a safe manner.

Shrewsbury is holding its annual prescription take back day on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave. Residents are encouraged to safely discard their unwanted, unused or expired medications as a means to curb substance use or theft as well as reduce the impact on our environment, said the announcement.

“I encourage residents to take advantage of the program and am pleased to lend the assistance of Lieutenant James Lonchiadas to help organize this effort in cooperation with the Worcester Division of Public Health and Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance, of which Shrewsbury is a member," said Shrewsbury Police Chief James Hester in a statement.

“Drug take back days are quick and easy ways to get rid of over the counter and prescription drugs no longer needed or expired. I am grateful to the public health partnerships and the Shrewsbury Police for working together to remove unwanted medications from homes, which in turn lessens the opportunity for potential mis-use of drugsm” stated State Representative Hannah Kane in a statement.

Two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances, according to Karyn E. Clark, Director of Public Health for the City of Worcester and the Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance.

Since 2013, Shrewsbury Police have collected more than 750 pounds of medication through community program. This service is free of charge and no questions asked. Sharps will not be accepted.

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