Bedford Police Department to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

BEDFORD N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day later this month.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Bedford Police Department, 55 Constitution Drive.

WHAT:

National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids, needles or sharps.

“Drug Take Back Day provides residents a safe and secure way to get rid of any old, unused or expired medication from their homes,” Chief Bryfonski said. “We are proud to once again participate in this event and provided an added opportunity to keep these medications from getting into the wrong hands.”

According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration’s report on the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 3.6% of the population in the United States misused pain relievers in 2018 and of those, more than half had obtained those medications from a friend or relative. 

Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 883,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. The DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, has now collected nearly 6,350 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010.

The Bedford Police Department wishes to remind residents that they may also dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs at the drug disposal kiosk located in the Bedford Police Station lobby on Constitution Drive. The kiosk is open 24/7. Residents should note that no liquids, needles, sharps, or inhalers can be dropped off at the kiosk.

The community is also reminded that cloth face coverings will be required, except for those under the age of two or with certain medical conditions, at both the Bedford Police Department’s National Drug Take Back Day event and any time residents visit the drug disposal kiosk amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about this month’s Take Back Day or for complete results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or contact Bedford Police Lt. Michael Griswold at 603-472-5113 ext. 338.

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