MPD and DEA will Host Prescription Drug Drop-Off this Weekend in Marlborough

The , the and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will be accepting old, unused and unwanted prescription drugs from residents with no questions asked this Saturday, Oct. 29.

The drugs will be accepted at police headquarters, 355 Bolton St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"This will give the public another opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs," said a release from Mayor Nancy Stevens office. "The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked."

Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds—188 tons—of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, said the release.

As for the local performance of the program, MPD officials were not available for comment as of this post. (Check back later for a comment)

Take-Back Day is a national effort of local and state governments allowing residents to properly dispose of these drugs.

"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  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," said the release. "Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards."

Needles and Epi-pens will not be accepted. Names and labels may be removed from the packaging. All liquid medications should be sealed in containers. 

For questions regarding this event, please contact Detective Rob Jusseaume at the Marlborough Police Department (508)-485-1212.

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