Bedford Police Hosts Drug Take Back Day

BEDFORD, NH - Chief John Bryfonski announces that the Bedford Police Department, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will to host a drug take back event later this month.

The free and anonymous event coincides with the DEA's National Drug Take Back Day. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in the lobby of the Bedford Police Department, 55 Constitution Drive.

Liquids, needles and sharps will not be accepted, only pills and patches.

Bedford Police hope that the community will take this opportunity to turn in potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal.

The national initiative addresses the current public safety and public health issue occurring today. Medications that are stored at home are highly susceptible to misuse or abuse and the rates of prescription drug use are increasing, along with the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Residents should not flush unused medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash due to potential health and safety hazards.

According to the DEA, in September 2015, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites that were operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. The Bedford Police Department alone collected over 200 pounds of expired or unwanted medications.

“We are seeing prescription drug abuse reach alarmingly high rates," Chief Bryfonski said. "To help prevent misuse, we encourage residents to bring their unused and expired medications to the station for safe disposal."

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the take back event, visit the DEA Diversion website or contact Detective Lt. Michael Griswold at the Bedford Police Department at 603-472-5113 Ext. 338.

Bedford Police would also like to remind residents that a drug collection box is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for prescription drop offs inside the station's lobby.

Submitted by the Bedford Police Department.