SWANSEA — In recognition of National Drug Take Back Day, Chief Marc Haslam and the Swansea Police Department would like to remind community members of the department’s 24/7 collection kiosk where residents can drop off unwanted or unused medications.
National Drug Take Back Day is recognized this year on Saturday, April 30. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiative is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives communities the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused medications.
“National Drug Take Back Day serves as a perfect opportunity for our department to remind community members of our collection kiosk that is available to all 24/7,” Chief Haslam said. “We encourage community members to take advantage of this local resource to ensure that unwanted or unused prescription medications don’t fall into the hands of someone else.”
Swansea residents can drop off unwanted medications year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Community Medication Collection Kiosk at the Swansea Police Station, 1700 G.A.R. Highway, where the medications will then be safely disposed of.
At the kiosk, residents are able to drop off prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, pet medications, sample medications and liquid medicines (which must be in glass or leak-proof container). Residents may not drop off needles, thermometers, bloody or infectious waste, medication from businesses or clinics or aerosols at the kiosk.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2020 an estimated 9.3 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 5.1 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 6.2 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives.
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