ASHBY — Chief Fred Alden is pleased to announce that the Ashby Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
WHEN:
Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Ashby Police Department, 893 Main St.
WHAT:
National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019 alone an estimated 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives.
“This is an opportunity for residents to dispose of any unwanted prescription medications in a simple, easy and safe way with no questions asked,” Chief Alden said. “Properly disposing drugs helps reduce the amount circulating in the community, thus reducing the chance of drugs falling into the wrong hands. We encourage residents to stop by on Saturday to take part in Drug Take Back Day, or any day of the week to use our permanent take back box.”
Additionally, Ashby Police have a permanent take back box in the police station lobby for those who wish to dispose of prescriptions, but are unable to attend Take Back Day. The department also has a dedicated sharps container in the lobby that residents can use to dispose of needles and sharps. Liquids and inhalers cannot be accepted.
The community is reminded that masks and social distancing will be required at both the Ashby Police Department’s National Drug Take Back Day event and any time residents visit the drug disposal kiosk during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about this month’s Take Back Day or for complete results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
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