NORTH READING — The North Reading Police and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medication.
The next Rx Take Back Day will be held this Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Flint Memorial Library parking lot. [Please note that this is a location change from the Senior Center due to ongoing sewer construction.]
The service is free and anonymous. Pet medication is also accepted. Simply follow the signs, drive into the lot, hand your expired medications to a volunteer and you’re good to go without even getting out of your car.
Since 2017, the North Reading Police Department has collected over 3,000 pounds of unused prescription drugs.
In addition, the Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive and are suitable for pills, patches, and liquid medications. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash. Flushing medications can create a negative environmental impact which makes the drug deactivation bags a better option for those unable to attend the Rx Take Back Day.
Deactivation bags can also be delivered to all Meals on Wheels clients in partnership with the O’Leary Senior Center. They are available at the Food Pantry and can be delivered to home mailboxes. To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call 978-357-5054.
If you or a loved one need assistance with accessing mental health or substance abuse treatment, contact North Reading Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician Laura Miranda at 978-357-5038 or email lmiranda@nrpd.org.