Rx Drug Take Back Around Area This Weekend

By Jason Claffey (Patch Staff) - October 19, 2016 12:37 am ET

NEWPORT, RI — Local police, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will host a prescription drug take back event this weekend.

Middletown always has a drop-off box in the police station lobby, but other departments, including Cranston and Newport, are asking people to drop off prescription drugs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station. Residents can bring unused or unwanted medication, free of charge and with no questions asked.

"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," the DEA said in a statement. "Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs."

Thousands of similar take back events are being held across the country this weekend. During the last take back event in April, the DEA said it collected about 450 tons worth of drugs from about 5,400 sites.
Items that are prohibited include needles and liquids.

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