Police departments in communities across the state are expecting to collect thousands of pounds of unwanted medications in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
The drugs accepted range from aspirin and ibuprofen to Oxycontin and Percocet, but the one thing they all have in common is they are no longer wanted and sitting in medicine cabinets.
Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, gives people a safe and responsible way to get rid of medications they no longer need. The day saves people from flushing drugs into the sewer system, which has contaminated waterways, or throwing them away in the trash.
"These unused pharmaceutical drugs are a commodity. They were produced in a controlled setting so they have a high value," Ludlow Police Lt. Daniel Valadas said. "The more we can take off the street, it is better for everyone."
Unused medications, especially opioids, can be taken by friends or family members who are visiting or can be stolen by thieves who break into homes. Some are then sold on the street, said Valadas, who taught a drugs and society class at Western New England University in the past.
The Ludlow Police Department is one of a number across the region that offers a permanent, secure drug collection box in its lobby where people can drop off unwanted medication at any time. It is carefully monitored to ensure the drugs are handled properly, he said.
Although the department has a box, it also participates in Take Back Day. Valadas said the widespread publicity helps educate people about the importance of getting rid of unused medication and enables the department to collect a large amount of unwanted drugs at one time.
This is the 17th national event. The DEA collected 80,277 pounds of unwanted drugs at 613 sites across New England in a Take-Back Day in October. A total of 26,255 pounds of drugs was collected in Massachusetts during that day.
“I encourage all Massachusetts residents to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in writing. “Day after day we see the devastating effects of prescriptions — particularly opioids — that end up in the hands of those who were not prescribed the medications.”
It is illegal to share, sell or steal prescription medications and it can lead to addiction, he said.
More than 20 communities in Western Massachusetts are participating in the Take Back Day and many are in Hampshire or Franklin counties, said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, whose office helps coordinate the collection.
“Getting these drugs out of circulation is something we all can do to help prevent addiction from taking hold in our communities,” he said.
Studies show many people addicted to heroin began by using prescription drugs and people who misuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family, Sullivan said.
Since 2011, more than 50,000 pounds have been collected in the Northwestern District during Take Back Days and from permanent collection boxes.
The collections will be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. The majority are conducted at police stations, but others are held at businesses, schools and other locations. People should check with their local police departments. Some locations are listed at the DEA’s website.
Participating communities in Western Massachusetts include Amherst, Athol, Ashfield, Belchertown, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Hadley, Northampton, Pelham, Southampton, South Hadley, Williamsburg and Worthington in Hampshire County and Bernardston, Deerfield, Greenfield, Leverett, Montague and Sunderland in Franklin County, as well as Athol in Worcester County.
Springfield police are running a collection at Central High School, 1840 Roosevelt Ave., instead of at the police station.
At least two police officers will be at each collection and will follow DEA specifications on how to pack up the medications safely. They will be incinerated at Covanta Springfield trash incinerator at Bondi’s Island.