Police Address 'Vital Public Safety' Issue With Drug Take Back Day

With prescription drug abuse continuing to rise around the country, Tewksbury Police are taking part in a growing effort to get pills out of the wrong hands.

The Tewksbury Police Department is hosting a drug take back event on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station in an effort to properly dispose of unused or expired drugs.

"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue," police said in promoting the event. "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."

According to studies, the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. In addition, prescription drug abuse can lead to heroin addiction.

Residents are asked to remove the pills from their prescription bottles and seal them in a plastic bag before arriving at the police station on April 26.

The pills should be ready for immediate deposit into the station's drug kiosk upon arrival, police said.

Anyone with questions about the drug take back day should contact the Board of Health at (978) 640-4473.