Chief Michael P Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
North Reading Police Take Back 30 Pounds of Prescription Drugs
NORTH READING — Police Chief Michael P. Murphy announces the North Reading Police Department took in approximately 30 pounds of prescription drugs during the September 27 drug take-back day.
This 30 pounds combined with the 24/7 drug disposal kiosk that is permanently placed in the police station lobby have yielded approximately 200 pounds of prescription drugs that were turned over for responsible disposal.
The North Reading Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held the recent Prescription Drug Take-Back day to allow residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. These national efforts have resulted in hundreds of tons of unwanted, unneeded prescription drugs all across the country.
“Events like this put the spotlight on a potentially serious problem in each of our homes,” Chief Murphy said. “Every prescription pill or bottle that goes unused is another one that can be stolen, abused, and misused. I want to commend our residents for making Saturday’s Drug Take-Back Day a success.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies have shown that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential environmental, safety, and health hazards.
If you were not able to attend Saturday’s event, the North Reading Police Department accepts your unused and unwanted prescription drugs, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, in a drug disposal kiosk located in the police station lobby.
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