Rowley Police and Rowley Board of Health to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

Rowley Police Department
Scott A. Dumas, Police Chief
477 Haverhill Street
Rowley, MA 01969
Rowley Board of Health
Frank Marchegiani, Coordinator of Health Services
39 Central St.
P.O. Box 783
Rowley, MA 01969

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

 

Rowley Police and Rowley Board of Health to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

ROWLEY — The Rowley Police Department and Rowley Board of Health are encouraging residents to join them in taking part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day later this month.

On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be available at the Rowley Council on Aging, 39 Central St., to collect prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is free of charge.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. The last event on Oct. 28 brought in 912,305 pounds —456 tons— of drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. Since the fall of 2010, 9,015,668 pounds (4,508 tons) of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected.

“Drug Take Back Day is a great reminder for residents to rid their cabinets of any unwanted prescriptions and prevent them from possibly falling into the wrong hands,” Rowley Police Chief Scott Dumas said. “We are encouraging everyone who may have unused or old medications at home to safely dispose of them during this event.”

Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

“We want to keep residents and their families safe by reminding them to dispose of these potentially dangerous substances in safe manner,” said Frank Marchegiani, Coordinator of Health Services in Rowley. “Please never throw these medications in the trash or flush them down the toilet, as this can also pose potential hazards.”

As part of Take Back Day, the Rowley Police Department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.

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