Tewksbury Police To Host Drug Take Back April 25

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury Police Department will host a prescription drug take back April 25, the department announced Monday. Residents can bring their unwanted prescription drugs and dispose of them free and anonymously, according to the announcement. The take back will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 25, at the Tewksbury Police Headquarters, 918 Main Street.

Police asked residents to take their pills out of prescription bottles and seal them in Ziploc-style plastic bags. Only pills can be disposed of at the take-back. To dispose of liquids or needles, contact the Board of Health at 978-640-4473.

"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," the announcement reads. "Rates of prescription dug abuse are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to the drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet."

Residents are discouraged from flushing drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, for public health reasons.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.