3rd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

What is so important about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 29?

Some of us may be contributing to the growing national problem of prescription drug abuse without even knowing it --  if we have unsecured prescription drugs at home.

A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

In Massachusetts, more people die each year from fatal overdoses of prescription drugs than from car accidents.  An average of 12 Massachusetts residents die each week from overdoses from opiod painkillers.

President Obama signed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act in October 2010, amending the Controlled Substances Act to allow the Drug Enforcement Administration to develop a process for people to safely dispose of their prescription drugs. 

Until that process is fully implemented, though, the DEA will continue to hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Days every six months in an effort to get drugs out of medicine cabinets, away from children – and out of the environment.

 Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. is the third National Prescription Drug Take Back day. Staff from the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Franklin and Hampshire counties sheriffs’ offices, Councils on Aging, local police departments and others will collect unwanted prescription medications – no questions asked – at 25 drop-off locations (see below). Other drop-off locations, nationwide, can be found at the DEA’s website at DEA.gov.

More than 376,593 pounds (188 tons) of unwanted or expired medications were collected at 5,361 take-back sites  in all 50 states at the last Take Back Day, on April 30, 2011. This was 55 percent more than the 242,000 pounds (121 tons) collected on the first Take Back Day in September, 2010. In New England, Massachusetts led the way, with some 12,354 pounds collected.

OCT. 29 NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COLLECTION SITES

Northampton- Smith Vocational- 80 Locust St, Main Drop Off Site

Amherst – Wildwood Elementary School

Belchertown – Town Commons

Cummington – Cummington Safety Complex

Easthampton – Easthampton Safety Complex

Granby – Granby High School

Hadley – Hadley Safety Complex

Hatfield – Town Hall

Huntington – Transfer Station

Southampton – Town Hall

South Hadley – Police Station

Ware – Ware High School

Westhampton – Westhampton Police/Fire Station

Williamsburg – Anne Dunphy School

Worthington – Town Hall

Franklin County Collection Sites

Greenfield - Greenfield High School, Main Drop Off Site

Ashfield - Town Hall

Buckland – Police Station, 69 1/2 Conway St.

Deerfield – Town Offices

Erving – Police Station

Montague – Montague Safety Complex

Northfield – Town Hall

Orange – Armory

Shelburne – Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School

Worcester County Collection Site

Athol - Athol High School