“Take Back” prescription drug disposal day, an event to help Charlestown safely dispose of its unused prescription drugs, takes place this Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Mall.
The Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC), a program of the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement, partners with the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce and Boston Police to organize the community’s third annual Prescription Drug “Take Back” event. The awareness campaign and safe disposal day are designed to address the dangers of prescription drug abuse and lack of proper disposal methods. The unused prescription drugs will be disposed of in a safe and timely manner. Last year a total of 81 vials of prescription medication and 21 vials of narcotic medications were collected.
“CSAC believes that it is an imperative to raise community awareness about the dangers and availability of prescription drugs,” said CSAC Director Beth Rosenshein. “The Office of National Drug Control Policy says that most young people who get addicted to drugs start with prescription drugs, including narcotics, because they are readily accessible in home medicine cabinets. The “Take Back” event provides an opportunity for residents to play an active role in reducing the availability of harmful drugs for our young people.”
People who have unused medication should drop off these prescription drugs in safe disposal medication bags that have been distributed throughout the neighborhood. National authorities state that throwing used medications down the toilet or into the trash is not a safe environmental disposal method. Residents who drop off a bag of unused prescriptions will receive a $5 gift card.