West Hartford Police to Collect Unwanted Prescription Drugs at Town Hall

The will give the public a chance to dispose of unwanted prescription medicines as part of a nationwide effort to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands or into the environment.

On Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., West Hartford police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will coordinate a collection in the parking lot at town hall. No questions will be asked of people turning in prescription drugs for disposal, and residents from outside of town may participate as well.

Americans got rid of 121 tons of unwanted prescription drugs during a collection held last September, and 280 pounds were collected in West Hartford, according to police Lt. Tracey Gove. Out of 45 Connecticut towns involved in September, Gove said, West Hartford collected the second-largest amount.

Once the prescription drugs are collected, Gove said, they are turned over to a Drug Enforcement Administration official and taken to be incinerated.

West Hartford police said in a news release that "medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse," including accidental poisonings and overdoses.

Another issue is the environmentally safe disposal of such drugs, which are often flushed down the toilet or put in the trash.

"We don't want them to be put in landfills," Gove said. "The drugs can reach into our water supply."

Questions about the event can be directed to Lt. Tracey Gove at 860-523-2110.