OCT 24 Drug Take Back Day, 10 AM - 2 PM
After a half-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Drug Take Back Day is back next Saturday, October 24, 2020!
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., community members can drive up to one of the 16 drop-off locations in Hampshire and Franklin counties and the town of Athol and give their unused, unwanted and expired drugs to a law enforcement officer without getting out of their cars.
More than 57,000 pounds have been collected since 2011.
"Over the years, we have heard many stories from people who were grateful to have a place to finally dispose of their drugs safely. Sometimes they had been saving them for years after a loved one’s death, knowing it was not safe to simply throw them away or flush them down the toilet," Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said.
All prescription and non-prescription, vitamins and non-prescription drugs will be accepted and can remain in their original containers with labels. Liquids, syringes, IV equipment or chemotherapy drugs cannot be accepted.
The drugs will be boxed, sealed, and taken by police and sheriff’s officers to Community Eco Power in Agawam for incineration.
Participating communities this year include Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Goshen Hadley, Northampton, Pelham, Southampton, Williamsburg and Worthington in Hampshire County; Deerfield, Greenfield, Leverett, Montague and Sunderland in Franklin County and Athol in Worcester County.
Since the DEA established Drug Take Back Day in 2010 to raise awareness of the risk of misuse of unsecured drugs, the NWDA , local law enforcement and other partners have established permanent Drug Boxes throughout the region. Many reached capacity in recent months.
"We’re thrilled to be part of the team that will allow community members to dispose of their drugs at Take Back 2020," Sullivan said.