Press Releases

October 24th In National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day



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Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120

BROCKTON – Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz is reminding residents to safely recycle their expired and unwanted medications this Saturday at drop box locations in police stations around the county as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. 

            Sponsored by the U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration, the day is organized to encourage citizens to properly dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications. In 2013, DA Cruz and Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald announced the local Plymouth County Drug Take Back Program. Partnered with Covanta Energy’s Rx4Safety Program, the program placed drop boxes in police stations around Plymouth County. 

Residents are asked to dispose of their unwanted or expired medications in the  boxes, which are under 24-hour surveillance. Police inventory and log the contents of the disposal box and the drugs are transported to Covanta Energy’s incinerator in Plymouth where they are destroyed and turned into renewable energy.

“National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a reminder that we all play a part in helping to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths,” DA Cruz said. “Taking the time to get rid of unused and expired medications could mean eliminating the risk of drugs being stolen, lost or misused in your home. It’s a small but important step to take to protect your family and keep drugs out of our communities.”

According to the U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Administration

Diversion Control Program, 882,919 pounds were collected across the United States last National Take Back Day on October 26, 2019. Of that total, the DEA estimated that 30,959 pounds were collected in Massachusetts. 

Due to COVID-19, residents should contact their local police departments first to inquire about any limitations. Drug return boxes are currently located at all police stations in Plymouth County except Plympton, where residents can utilize the Carver Police Department box. Additionally, campus police stations at Bridgewater State University, Massasoit Community College and Stonehill all have drug return boxes. All drops are completely anonymous.

Medications accepted are pills, capsules, patches, prescription medications and ointments and medicines in leak-proof, unbreakable containers. Over-the-counter medications, vitamins and pets medicines are also accepted. No needles will be accepted.

October 20, 2020