Police Organize Prescription Drug Collection Day

On Sept. 25,the Westport Police Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the first Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Residents will be able to drop off their unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs at a safe location where they can be properly destroyed.

"Many people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away- both potential safety and health hazards" according to a press release by the Department of Justice.

The designated drop off location for Westport is in the rear of Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. People wanting to drop unwanted medications for proper disposal can drive around the rear of building, drop the unwanted medication into the container and then leave.

The one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical substance abuse.

• The program is anonymous
• Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
• Intravenous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative

The police department is asking its residents to check their medicine cabinets, remove all unwanted, expired or unused medications and participate in this initiative.

For additional information about this program, visit the Drug Enforcement Agency website.