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.

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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.

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 16, 2017

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

West Newbury Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day later this month.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be on-hand at the West Newbury Police Department (401 Main St.) to collect unwanted prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is completely free of charge for all.

“Every unwanted prescription left languishing in a medicine cabinet is another chance for drugs to end up in the wrong hands, accidentally or otherwise,” Chief Reed said. “The West Newbury Police Department is proud to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and I encourage all residents to scour their homes and turn in their unneeded prescriptions.”

The Drug Take Back Day is a semi-annual event that is administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the last event, on Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “That’s why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in – safely and anonymously – a record amount of prescription drugs.”

The department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps. To arrange for the disposal of those items, contact the West Newbury Board of Health at 978-363-1109.

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For Immediate Release

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017

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

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Respond to Fatal Single-VehicleCrash

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Chief Michael Dwyer report that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash last night.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, at approximately 10 p.m., West Newbury Public Safety Dispatch received a report of a single-vehicle crash in front of a home on Main Street (Route 113).

Upon arrival, police and firefighters observed that a Ford pickup truck had crashed into the stone wall of a residence in the area of 248 Main St. First responders began rendering first aid to the driver, a 64-year-old Groveland man.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While this incident remains under active investigation by the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments, a preliminary investigation indicates that the man may have suffered a medical incident prior to the crash.

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Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017

For Immediate Release

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

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Team Up with Massachusetts State Police to Donate to Hurricane Harvey Victims

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Chief Michael Dwyer are pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments have partnered with Massachusetts State Police Troop A to help families of law enforcement officers who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

West Newbury Police and Fire will be assisting MSP Troop A in Newbury with collecting toiletries, toys, and clean, gently used or new clothing for the families of first responders in Texas who were impacted by the storm.

Lt. Kevin Bibeau, commander of the MSP Andover Barracks, came up with the idea to collect items from department members assigned to his barracks. Once Troop A Major Pat Russolillo heard about the idea, he quickly expanded the program to include all six Troop A barracks, including State Police-Newbury under the command of Lt. Deborah Ryan.

“We are proud to help our partners at the State Police collect items for our brothers and sisters in need down in Texas,” Chief Reed said. “Any level of comfort that we can provide to these families of first responders who were affected by Hurricane Harvey will make a huge difference as they face the difficult road ahead.” 

“This catastrophic event has affected so many people including the families of first responders who work tirelessly to help others, and we want to do anything that we can to help them heal and rebuild,” Chief Dwyer said. “We encourage residents who can to please donate and help bring some hope to these people who have lost so much.”

Residents who wish to make a donation can drop off items at the following locations:

• West Newbury Police Station, 401 Main St.
• West Newbury Fire Station, 403 Main St.
• MSP Troop A Station A-2, 200 Scotland Road, Newbury

All MSP Troop A barracks are collecting items to donate to first responders in Houston. For a full list of locations, visit the MSP website.

Items will be shipped to Texas early next week.

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