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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 23, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Police Department to Participate in Drug Take Back Day

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle reports the Melrose Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.

On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be available at the Melrose Police Station, 56 West Foster St., to collect prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is free of charge.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. The last event on Oct. 28 brought in 912,305 pounds —456 tons— of drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. Since the fall of 2010, 9,015,668 pounds (4,508 tons) of unwanted or unused prescriptions have been collected.

“Every year we partner with the DEA to remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs from residents’ homes,” Chief Lyle said. “We encourage anyone with expired or unwanted prescription drugs to stop by the police department this weekend to safely dispose of them.”

Medicines left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Studies indicate that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

As part of Take Back Day, the Melrose Police Department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps.

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