Southampton Town Police and The Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23. The department collected over 230 pounds of unwanted, unused, and expired medications from the community.
“By collecting these medications we are keeping them out of the hands of our most vulnerable populations as well as preventing them from being disposed of improperly which could make its way into our water system and polluting the environment,” police spokeswoman Lieutenant Susan Ralph said in a statement.
In its 21st year, the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 drop off locations nationwide.
Last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In many cases, people who misuse prescription drugs get them from a family member or friend. Working in partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 7,000 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
The Southampton Town Police Department also participates in Operation Medicine Cabinet. A medication disposal receptacle is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the lobby of police headquarters located at 110 Old Riverhead Road in Hampton Bays.
Staff Writer on Oct 26, 2021