Crime & Safety

Bring Unwanted Meds to Walgreens, Police on Saturday

On Saturday, April 26, 2014 in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Town of New Canaan’s Police Department and Walgreens announced their participation in the nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased medication abuse and promote the proper disposal of medications. 

On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications will be collected for destruction at Walgreens located at 36 Pine St., New Canaan.

The service is free and anonymous.  Prescription and over the counter medications will be accepted. 

Intravenous solutions, injectibles and needles will NOT be accepted.  Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative.

As some are aware, the New Canaan Police Department has a medication drop box located in in the lobby of department headquarters. This drop box is available to the community throughout the year, 24/7.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and environmental health issue.  Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. 

In addition, many do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away-both potential safety and environmental hazards.

The New Canaan Police Department continues to be committed to doing everything we can to make our community safer. We are looking forward to partnering with Walgreens in this worthwhile effort.

We are reaching out to individuals and encourage them to take advantage of this event to rid their households of unused prescription drugs that pose a safety hazard and can contribute to prescription drug abuse.

To learn more about this initiative, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration website.


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