Huge West Hartford Event To Take Back Old Drugs, Educate On Drug Use

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT – If your medicine cabinet is overrun with unneeded and old medication, there is a way to safely dispose of it in West Hartford this weekend.

The West Hartford Police Department, in collaboration with the West Hartford Bloomfield Health District and the West Hartford Prevention Partnership, will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West Hartford Town Hall parking lot.

This nationally recognized initiative provides a safe, convenient, and responsible method for disposing of unused or expired prescription medications.

The program also raises public awareness about the potential for prescription drug misuse and the environmental hazards of improper disposal.

Community members are invited to anonymously drop off expired, unwanted, or unused medications, including prescription and over-the-counter tablets, vaping products, and liquid medications.

Intravenous solutions, injectable medications, EpiPens, and needles will not be accepted.

Trained volunteers will be available to assist participants with contactless drop-off directly from their vehicles.

All collected items will be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

Improper disposal, such as flushing medications, can lead to waterway contamination and poses public health risks.

Prevention Fair

In conjunction with the collection event, the Town of West Hartford’s Prevention Partnership will host a Prevention Fair at West Hartford Town Hall.

This event is aimed at promoting mental health and substance misuse prevention through community engagement and education.

The day's events will also include:

• Touch-A-Truck activities (Police, Fire, CERT)
• Informational resource tables hosted by the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, West Hartford Public Library, and West Hartford Social Services/Prevention
• Free Narcan training sessions and distribution
• Local prevention campaigns and wellness resources
• Community Mural with RiseUP for Arts and Youth Recovery CT

The “Change the Script” Resource Van will also be on site.

This mobile outreach initiative offers accessible mental health and substance use prevention resources as part of a statewide campaign addressing the opioid crisis.

Additionally, the “Hidden in Plain Sight” exhibit, created by the Alex Fisher Foundation and Alex’s Army, will be featured.

This interactive display simulates a teenager’s bedroom and helps parents and adults identify potential signs of substance use. The demonstration is open to individuals ages 23 and older.

For more information, contact the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District at 860-561-7900 or the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203.