More than 120 locations across the state participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.
The event is held twice a year, and each time police departments collect thousands of pounds of unused prescription medications in an effort to combat the opioid crisis.
“We know four out of five heroin, fentanyl users are starting with prescription opioids. We don’t want to be that person that’s responsible for that,” said Jon DeLena, deputy chief of the DEA New England Division. “Let’s get them safely out of your home. Don’t let your children be experimenting with this stuff, don’t let anybody break into your home and steal it.”
At the Manchester Police Department, one of the drop-off sites, people could also meet with representatives from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.
“Unlike anywhere else in the country, we’ve gotten the community involved,” DeLena said. “We see it’s not just an opportunity to drop off your medication, it’s an opportunity to have a conversation, bring your kids along and learn a little bit about why this is so important.”
In Nashua, police held their take-back event drive-thru style. And the Nashua Prevention Coalition handed out pamphlets to those who did drop off drugs.
The mission of Drug Take Back Day goes hand in hand with prevention and education efforts happening all year long.
“We’re not necessarily out there saying, ‘Don’t do drugs,’” said Janet Valuk, director of the coalition. “We’re out there trying to build leaders, trying to build self-esteem, trying to get them to become contributors to the community and grow up to be healthy, happy kids.”
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