For Immediate Release

Monday, April 23, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police and Health Departments to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Health Agent Paul Sevigny announce that the West Newbury Police and Public Health Departments will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.

On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be available at the West Newbury Police Station, 401 Main St., to collect prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is free of charge.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. The last event on Oct. 28 brought in 912,305 pounds —456 tons— of drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. Since the fall of 2010, 9,015,668 pounds (4,508 tons) of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected.

“We want the community to take advantage of this event to dispose of old or unwanted prescriptions,” Chief Reed said. “It’s so important that residents are mindful of what may be left in their cabinets at home and to get rid of any unused medications to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.”

Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Chief Reed would like to remind residents that while the West Newbury Police Department will only accept pills and patches during Take Back Day, residents who wish to dispose of sharps can do so at the health department.

As of July 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health banned the disposal of household medical sharps in regular trash. West Newbury residents can drop off used sharps at the Board of Heath office, 381 Main St., Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment.

Sharps must be disposed using an official sharps container. Residents may purchase official sharps containers at the Board of Health office for a minimal cost. Prices range from $1 to $15 depending on the size of the container.

“Please use this Drug Take Back Day event as a reminder to also always properly dispose of medical sharps,” said Sevigny. “Never throw sharps away in regular trash, as this could potentially pose a risk to other family members as well as recycling and trash collection workers.”

For more information about National Drug Take Back Day, visit the DEA website by clicking here.

###

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Host Successful Drug Take Back Day

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to report that the West Newbury Police Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), collected 20 pounds of prescription medications during National Drug Take Back Day last month.

Residents turned in their unwanted and expired medications to the West Newbury Police Department on Oct. 28, which were then turned over to the DEA for proper disposal. The department also has a drop box for prescriptions in the station lobby, where residents can anonymously discard unwanted or potentially harmful drugs and substances.

“It is so important for residents to ensure that these potentially dangerous substances are out of the house and don’t end up in the wrong hands,” Chief Reed said. “We are pleased to have had another successful Drug Take Back Day and hope that residents will continue to properly discard any unwanted prescriptions through the kiosk in our station lobby.”

National Drug Take Back Day is a free and anonymous event coordinated by the DEA and police departments. The event gives the public an opportunity to prevent substance abuse by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in their possession. The DEA accepted pills and patches, but does not take liquids, needles, or sharps.

During its 14th Take Back Day on Oct. 28, the DEA, and more than 4,200 of its national, tribal and community law enforcement partners collected 912,305 pounds (about 456 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at more than 5,300 collection sites — nearly six tons more than was collected at last spring’s Take Back Day. Since the program began seven years ago, about 9 million pounds (more than 4,500 tons) of prescription drugs have been collected.

This initiative addresses a vital public health issue. Easily accessible, unused prescriptions in homes are highly susceptible to abuse and misuse. Studies have shown that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Residents are advised to avoid disposing of unused medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage, as these methods have potential safety and health risks.

Residents who were unable to attend the National Drug Take Back Day can also drop off their prescription drugs at the West Newbury Police Department’s drug drop-off box in the station lobby, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, visit the DEA Office of Diversion Control website or contact West Newbury Police at 978-363-1213.

###

WEST NEWBURY — The West Newbury Police Department is currently accepting applications for an open full-time police officer position.

Those interested in learning more about the position, including how to apply, may do so by clicking here.