Bedford Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

BEDFORD, NH — Chief John J. Bryfonski and the Bedford Police Department encourage residents to drop off their unused and unwanted prescription medications this weekend as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, residents can visit the Bedford Police Station, 55 Constitution Drive, to dispose of their prescription drugs, according to a press statement.

The event is run in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and is free of charge, no questions asked. The DEA will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.

“It's no secret that New Hampshire has been severely affected by the opioid crisis," Bryfonski said. "We are actively encouraging residents to do their part and rid their home of unwanted and unused prescription drugs."

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month, 6.4 million Americans, ages 12 and over — 2.4 percent of the population — abuse prescription drugs more than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and methamphetamine combined. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The majority of those who abuse prescription drugs report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Last April, during its 11th Take Back Day, the DEA, and more than 4,200 of its national, tribal and community law enforcement partners collected 893,498 pounds (about 447 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at almost 5,400 collection sites. Since the program began six years ago, about 6.4 million pounds (approximately 3,200 tons) of drugs have been collected. That’s more than a quarter pound of pills for each of the 25 million children, ages 12 to 17, in America.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, or about the Oct. 22 Drug Take Back Day, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control site, or contact Detective Lt. Michael Griswold at the Bedford Police Department at 603-472-5113 ext.338.

Submitted by the Bedford Police Department.