Drug Take Back Day

April 26, 2018

Portsmouth Police Department

Press Release

 

Date of Release: April 26, 2018

Subject: Drug Take Back Day

 

The Portsmouth Police Department will be joining the Drug Enforcement Administration and other seacoast communities on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  The event will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 and is being offered to the community to provide an opportunity to turn in prescription drugs which may be in your household and are no longer needed.  The event is being held from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M at the Portsmouth Police Department located at 3 Junkins Ave.  The department will take pills, patches, and liquid medicine.  No needles or sharps will be accepted.  The service is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.

 

This event is being presented to help prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse, and offer the community a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs. Disposing of prescription drugs in the trash or flushing them down the toilet are not advised because they can cause potential safety and health hazards.

 

This initiative comes at a time when prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high.  Many abused prescription drugs are obtained from friends and family, including from home medicine cabinets.  The majority of heroin users start with prescription drug abuse and then turn to heroin because it’s cheaper and easier to get.  Turning in prescription drugs can assist in the prevention of accidental poisoning and overdose deaths.

 

If you are unable to attend during the event day and time, the Portsmouth Police Department has a drug take back box that offers members of the community the opportunity to drop off prescription drugs on any day and at any time anonymously. 

 

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, visit the DEA website at DEA.gov.

 

 

 

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                                               CHIEF OF POLICE