West Hartford Police Will 'Take Back' Unwanted Prescription Drugs This Weekend

The West Hartford Police Department will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday as part of National Take-Back Day.

This collaboration between local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration is intended to prevent pill abuse and theft by removing potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from everyone's medicine cabinets. Over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e., tablets and capsules, will also accepted and disposed of properly.

The collection will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot. The public can enter from South Main Street or through the Police Department entrance at 103 Raymond Road.

Police emphasize that the service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

According to West Hartford Police, "This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, 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, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.

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