DEA National Rx Drug Take Back Day

On April 24th from 10 am – 2 pm the Connecticut State Police, Troop F and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent RX Drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

This effort to allow for safe, legal, and environmentally friendly disposal of prescription drugs is a free and anonymous service to all residents; with no questions asked. Bring your RX Drugs for disposal to the Middlefield Resident Troopers Office (405 Main Street) or the Durham Resident Troopers Office (24 Townhouse Road).

At this year’s take back day masks will be required and a no contact drop off procedure will be followed, to keep all safe. This effort reduces the risk of prescription drugs being consumed inappropriately – either by accident or through illegal sale or possession.

“Prescription drug misuse is increasing at alarming rates,” said Dena Miccinello, Prevention Coordinator with the Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition, “data shows that a majority of illegal prescription drug use occurs when people get them from a friend or family member, for free.”

Take-back efforts reduce the amount of available prescription drugs in communities to limit access and avoid misuse. Last October, Americans turned in 882,919 lbs. (441.5 Tons) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,174 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,896 of its state and local law enforcement partners. When those results are combined with what was collected in previous take back events, DEA and its partners have taken on over 12,699,456 lbs. of pills (6,349.7 Tons).

Middlefield and Durham Resident Troopers will continue to conduct these events to decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in homes, reducing access and misuse, especially among youth. We encourage community members to participate on April 24th” everyone needs to continue working together to make our communities safer and healthier. The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is planned, staffed, and provided as a continuing proactive effort by The Connecticut State Police, Troop F to prevent drug abuse before it happens in our community.

This event is supported by The Durham Middlefield Local Wellness Coalition, Durham Middlefield Youth & Family Services and both Towns of Durham and Middlefield Connecticut. Masks required! Social Distancing practices will be followed.