NO Questions Asked: Drop Off Unneeded Meds

Please take an hour to clean out your medicine cabinets and dispose of unneeded medicines so that you can provide a safe home for your family and guests. On Saturday, Sept. 26, you can safely dispose of them at the drop box between 10 - 2 pm. at the North Andover Police Department and, for one day only, satellite location at First and Main Marketplace parking lot.

No questions asked.

North Andover Police Lt. Eric Foulds hopes residents will participate in the event, especially in light of the opiod crisis in the state.

Neighboring comunities are also expected to participate in the 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back day on Sept. 26. Sites will be set up throughout communities nationwide so local residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

In the previous nine Take-Back events nationwide from 2010-2014, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons of unwanted medication were collected.