Somerville to celebrate ‘National Prescription Drug Take Back Day’ October 27

On October 24, 2018, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Health & Human Services, and Somerville Police and Fire Departments announced today that, in collaboration with the efforts of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the “, Somerville will celebrate “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The focus of the national event is to raise awareness about preventing prescription drug abuse, pollution, and theft by properly disposing of unwanted medications safely.

There is a permanent MedReturn Drug Collection Kiosk for medications and sharps in the lobby of the Somerville Police Department, located at 220 Washington Street. Disposal is free, anonymous, and available 24/7. In addition, October 27 only, there will also be another kiosk available for medication disposal only (not sharps) at the Somerville Fire Station at 6 Newbury Street in Teele Square.

The following items can be deposited in the medication kiosks:

· Prescription & over-the-counter medications

· Pet medications

· Samples of medications

· Pills, capsules, inhalers, ointments, patches, vitamins, and/or liquids in glass or leak-proof containers

Please remove any identifying information (your name, address, etc.) on the label of the container or place medication in a clear Ziploc-type of bag.

For more facts and information, visit:

· www.drugfree.org

· www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin

· www.odprevention.org

· www.mwra.com/04water/html/pharmaceuticals.htm

· www.epa.gov/ppcp/faq.html#regulated

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event, please contact Patty Contente, LICSW at 617-625-6600 ext. 7281, or Matthew Mitchell, LSW at 617-625-6600 ext. 2570.

2 Responses to “Somerville to celebrate ‘National Prescription Drug Take Back Day’ October 27”

LindaS says:

October 24, 2018 at 11:19 am

I think there should be a permanent way to dispose of medication all around, especially for people who can’t get to the Police Station, or get around in general.

Perhaps a mail service whereby a resident can get a free mailer envelope to drop their meds in and mail them? Or be able to call the Police Department on a non-emergency line and arrange for someone to stop by to pick up the medications when theyre in the area?

It would definitely be the best option if pharmacies were simply able to take these meds back for disposal. I don’t understand why it’s a problem for them. If they can give them out, they should be able to take them back for disposal. However you receive the medications, you should be able to send them back the same way when they’re no longer needed.

Sometimes it’s just too hard for people to get around, so if there is at least a dropbox at multiple locations, or a mailing service, it would go a long way to getting unneeded meds off the streets.
T says:

October 25, 2018 at 1:45 pm

The Somerville Police station has a dropbox in the lobby available 24-7. I’m not sure if there are other drop boxes around the city, though.