Dover Police to hold 'Drug Take-Back Day' April 29

posted on: 4/26/2017

On Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Dover Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications can be brought to the Dover Police Department at 46 Chestnut St. for disposal. The service is free, anonymous, and no questions will be asked.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 80 percent of people who use heroin abused painkillers first. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Surveys show that one in five New Hampshire high school students have used a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them.

Dover has participated in the take back initative since the fall of 2010, hosting at least one event a year, and has collected over 2,000 pounds of prescription drugs.

Disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. The DEA states that unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply.

If unable to attend a collection event during the national take back day, visit the Food and Drug Administration website at www.FDA.gov to learn about other recommended disposal methods.

For more information about the take back event visit the DEA website at www.DEA.gov. To learn more about how to get involved in the Police Department's prevention efforts, contact the Dover Coalition for Youth at 603-516-3279 or online at www.DoverCoalition.org.