North Reading PD Collect Nearly 400 Pounds Of Unused Drugs

NORTH READING, MA — The North Reading Police Department and Community Impact Team’s Drug-Take Back Program collected 396 pounds of unused drugs this year.

The total reflects drugs disposed of in the NRPD take-back kiosk as well as those collected from October’s DEA Drug Take Back Day, which saw almost 50 cars participate in the drop-off event.

"Our prescription drug take back program is a simple and practical solution for the proper and safe disposal of potentially dangerous, expired, unused or unwanted medications. We’re really happy that so many people also took advantage of our DEA Take Back Day," said Police Chief Michael Murphy, "But we don’t want people to wait for these drop-off days. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends’ medicine cabinets. Our take-back program can help eliminate these unused medications, reducing misuse, abuse, and accidental poisoning."

The department's prescription drug kiosk is located in the police lobby. A sharps take-back kiosk is also located in the North Reading Police Station. Both sharps and unused drugs can be dropped off in the lobby kiosks without appointment every day at any time. Since 2017, the program has disposed of 1,712 pounds of unused drugs.

To encourage people to dispose of unused drugs, the Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash. "This is a great solution for people who can’t get to the take-back kiosk," Drug-Free Communities Grant Project Director Amy Luckiewicz explained. "The bags can deactivate pills, medical patches, and liquids." To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call (978)357-5054 for free delivery in North Reading.