East Hartford Collected Nearly 100 lbs of Medications on Drug Take Back Day

East Hartford, CT - Last weekend the East Hartford Police and Health Departments hosted the DEA National Drug Take Back Day at the East Hartford Public Safety Complex, and citizens turned in nearly 100 pounds (98.9) of unwanted and unused prescription drugs at this location alone. That is nearly 100 pounds of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medication that was properly disposed of, and is no longer a public safety and public health issue.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the Drug Take Back Event and safely disposed of their unwanted medication.

Please be reminded that a Pharmaceutical Collection Drop Box is located in the lobby of the Public Safety Complex, at 31 School Street and is available 24/7. Residents are welcome to utilize the drop box at any time. The purpose is to create a convenient and secure location for residents to safely dispose of unwanted or expired household pharmaceuticals.  Residents are advised that the collection program is limited to prescription medications, pills, capsules and caplets.  Items which cannot be collected include: I.V. bags, sharps (anything with a needle or lance), Epi-pens, patches, gels, medications in tubes and liquids.

“The Pharmaceutical Collection Program reduces the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, sickness and hospitalizations attributable to inappropriate or outdated medication consumption and environmental damage including groundwater contamination and non-point watercourse pollution,” Mayor Marcia Leclerc said. “Medication disposal is a major public health and safety concern.”

Please remember to wear a mask and adhere to COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES when entering the Public Safety Complex.

For more information go to:  https://bit.ly/3oHfWYI