Granite Staters urged to turn in unused, unwanted prescription drugs
National Drug Take Back Day planned after April's event canceled
National Drug Take Back Day planned after April's event canceled
National Drug Take Back Day planned after April's event canceled
Granite Staters will get a chance to safely dispose of unused or unwanted medications Saturday during National Drug Take Back Day.
Last year, nearly 450 tons of medications were collected nationwide during the event. While there have been some changes this year, officials said the drive is more important than ever.
Anyone dropping off unused or unwanted medication is asked to wear a mask and maintain distance with others. Drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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"In four hours, we average between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medication, just in New Hampshire alone," said Jon DeLena, Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge.
It's a benchmark the DEA is hoping to reach again. April's planned event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's obviously challenging because of everything we're dealing with with COVID," DeLena said.
With more people spending time at home these days, the event takes on added importance.
"We know that people sometimes experiment with medication that they find in their homes, particularly children," DeLena said. "So that's one big reason we have to get that stuff out of the homes."
Privacy is guaranteed at the event.
"This is truly a no-questions-asked event," DeLena said. "You drive up, you walk up, you drop that stuff into a box, nobody looks through it and it gets incinerated."
Some things aren't accepted, including syringes and voluminous liquids. For the first time this year, vaping devices and their cartridges will be accepted.
"We ask if you can take the battery out of the device," DeLena said. "If you can't figure out how to do that, we'll have somebody help you do that."
There are more than 120 locations across the state where drugs can be dropped off.