16 local communities gear up for drug collection day
NORTHAMPTON – Local residents are encouraged to make cleaning out medicine cabinets part of spring cleaning as 16 communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties join in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 30. Residents may drop off unneeded drugs – for humans or pets – in a collective effort to save lives by preventing misuse or accidental ingestion.
Take Back collections are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at these police departments: Deerfield, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Leverett, Montague, Pelham, Southampton, South Hadley and Sunderland as well as at the following locations: Amherst, Wildwood Elementary; Belchertown, Town Common; Easthampton Public Safety Complex fire bays; Northampton, Smith Vocational High School; Williamsburg, Williams Hardware; Worthington, Highway Department.
For the 22nd time, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office is teaming up with the Hampshire and Franklin Sheriff’s offices, the county-based TRIAD initiatives, local police departments and the national Drug Enforcement Agency in offering the event.
“With mental health a deep concern across the nation, it’s urgent that people dispose of medications that could be misused, just as these prescriptions should always remain locked up. Also, prescriptions that are no longer needed should be disposed of safely to keep them out of water supplies,” said Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan. “This simple act can save lives and prevent harm to toddlers, adolescents, pets and the environment. It’s up to each one of us to do our part in preventing misuse or accidental ingestion.”
Since 2011, Take Back Days offered twice a year and the permanent drug collection boxes stationed at area police departments, the region has safely disposed of more than 64,000 pounds of unneeded prescription and non-prescription drugs, keeping it out of water sources, landfills and preventing misuse.