Police Offer Anonymous Drug Take-Back Option

If you have old prescription drugs you could be at risk of poisoning yourself, or worse, your children. To help prevent any negative consequences the and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be collaborating for the town's fourth drug take-back day. The free, anonymous service allows all Hopkinton residents to swing by the Police Station with your old medications. Police Chief Richard Flannery said there will be no questions asked for people who drop off old medicines and they will be disposed of properly by the DEA.

Flannery said there will be a closed box for old prescriptions to be dropped into in the station. He said an officer will be stationed nearby for security purposes but they will not be taking any information about who is dropping off medicines or what they are.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

“I think this is a great way for us to provide a vital service to the public until we get a better way of doing so,” Flannery said.

Congress has passed legislation amending the Controlled Substances Act to allow the DEA to develop a process for people to safely dispose of their prescription drugs.  DEA immediately began developing this process after President Obama signed the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010 on October 12. Until that process is complete, however, DEA will continue to hold Take Back Days every six months.

Locally this event coincides with Hopkinton’s very own Sustainable Green Committee (HopGreen) which is holding its annual town- wide  Both events are scheduled for Saturday April 28th and will begin at 9am at the Town Common. For more information, please visit www.hopgreen.com.