Chief’s Column: Grafton Police will collect unwanted medications

On Saturday, October 26th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Grafton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal to Grafton Police Headquarters located at 28 Providence Road. The DEA normally only accepts pills or patches however; the Grafton Board of Health will also be present to collect unwanted sharps (needles and syringes) for disposal. These items must be kept separate from the prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous — no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 469 tons of prescription drugs at 6258 sites operated by the DEA and its law enforcement partners. This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 11,816,393 pounds, or 5,908 tons.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

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. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA and the Grafton Police Department is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications.

PLEASE REMEMBER: For the convenience of residents, the Grafton Police Department maintains a 24/7 MedReturn Drug Collection Box in the lobby of the police station. If you cannot stop by to bring your unwanted prescription drugs on October 26, feel free to stop by anytime. There is also a sharps collection box for needles and syringes in the office of the Grafton Board of Health located in the Municipal Center. Citizens may drop off their sharps during normal business hours.

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr. is Grafton’s Chief of Police.