NORTH READING — The North Reading Police and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medication.
This Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Rx Take Back Day will be held in the front parking lot of the Edith A. O’Leary Senior Center at the top of the Town Common.
In order to maintain safety, residents can remain in their vehicles. Signs will direct motorists to enter the drop off area one way, drop off their unused medications directly into bins, and exit as directed under the guidance of NRPD officers.
Since May 2017, the North Reading Police have collected 2,602 pounds of unused prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous. Pet medication is also accepted.
According to the DEA, unused or expired medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in the nation.
FREE DRUG DEACTIVATION BAGS
In addition, the Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive and are suitable for pills, patches, and liquid medications. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash.
Flushing medications can create a negative environmental impact, therefore, these deactivation bags provide a simple and alternative means to safely dispose of medications for those unable to participate in the drug take back event.
Deactivation bags are also able to be delivered to all Meals on Wheels clients, in partnership with the O’Leary Senior Center. The bags are also available at the North Reading Food Pantry, 150 Haverhill St., and can be delivered to home mailboxes. To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call 978-357-5054.
