The Windham County Sheriff's Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, working with local law enforcement agencies and prevention coalitions throughout Windham County, will participate in the 10th National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The free, anonymous, no-questions-asked event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of drug disposal while educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.
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.
In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four permanent drop box locations are located nearby. Only pills and patches are accepted at these locations, so no sharps, please.
On Sept. 26 bring your medications for disposal to:
• Windham County Sheriff's Department, 11 Jail St., Newfane.
• Brattleboro Police Department, 230 Main St., Brattleboro.
• Bellows Falls Police Department, 170 Rockingham St., Bellows Falls.
• Wilmington Police Department, 2 East Main St., Wilmington.
All locations are available for pill disposal during open lobby hours, no questions asked.