NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK INITIATIVE

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will coordinate the twenty-sixth nationwide, one-day collaborative prescription drug-take back initiative event, with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s homes.

The New Bedford Police will have a manned collection site set up in the parking lot of Police HQ from 10:00am to 2:00pm for this event.

This national initiative provides an opportunity for the public to surrender pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. Expired, unused, or unwanted controlled substances in our homes are a potential source of supply for the increasing abuse of pharmaceutical drugs in the United States and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety every day.

The collected medications will be disposed at several incineration facilities located throughout New England that will convert the pharmaceutical waste into clean, renewable energy for use by local communities. Since 2010, this initiative has resulted in over 1.7 million pounds of pharmaceutical waste collected over twenty-five drug-take back events in New England.

This program is anonymous, and all efforts will be made to protect the anonymity of individuals disposing of medications. No questions or requests for identification is made.