Norwich, Oxford police join effort to reduce non-medical prescription drug use
NORWICH/OXFORD – On Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Norwich Police Department, Oxford Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be joining in the effort to give the public its eleventh opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“Many believe that prescription medication is safe because it is prescribed by a medical professional, but when misused or accidentally ingested, prescription medication can lead to poisoning, overdose, and even death,” said Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan.
Any unused or expired medications for disposal can be taken to the Norwich Police Department located at 18 E Main Street in Norwich (rear parking lot) or to the Oxford Police Department at 20 LaFayette Park in Oxford. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Nolan added that needles and liquids will not be accepted during this event.
Resources will also be on display and freely available related to prescription medication and addiction at the Oxford location.
“Our local communities face an epidemic as prescription drug misuse has grown at an unprecedented rate,” said Nolan. “In the United States, we consume more than three quarters of the world's prescription medications and therefore access to prescription drugs either accidentally or for misuse is greater than in any other country. Nearly 70 percent of those who have misused prescription medications report gaining access to the drugs through the their friends or family.”
According to the NPD, Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
Nolan offered several steps that one can take to help reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse:
• Dispose of unnecessary, expired, or unwanted medications. Don't flush them down the toilet or throw them in the garbage. Rather, dispose of them at a safe disposal site, such as the Oxford Police Department.
• Communicate with your family members the dangers of the non-medical use of prescription drugs. 40% of teenagers report believing that prescription medications are safer than illegal drugs. This is not the case. 15,000 die each year due to prescription medication overdoses alone and when mixed with alcohol and other substances, prescription drugs become even more deadly. Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drug in the United States and can lead to addiction. In addition, a majority of those who use heroin report first misusing prescription drugs.
• Keep an inventory of your medical cabinet, so that you are able to monitor their use. Include expiration dates, quantity, and recommended dosage. Ensure that access to the medical cabinet is restricted only to those who need access.
“We face an epidemic that our community must join together to address,” Nolan said. “Join us in addressing addiction and preventing the loss of another member of our local community. In addition to offering the disposal of prescription medication, officers will have available for the public medical cabinet inventory cards and resources for parents and children concerning the misuse of prescription medication and other drugs.”
The OPD additionally has a permanent prescription dropbox available to the public in it's lobby during office hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and after hours when an officer is on duty.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.
“Many believe that prescription medication is safe because it is prescribed by a medical professional, but when misused or accidentally ingested, prescription medication can lead to poisoning, overdose, and even death,” said Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan.
Any unused or expired medications for disposal can be taken to the Norwich Police Department located at 18 E Main Street in Norwich (rear parking lot) or to the Oxford Police Department at 20 LaFayette Park in Oxford. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Nolan added that needles and liquids will not be accepted during this event.
Resources will also be on display and freely available related to prescription medication and addiction at the Oxford location.
“Our local communities face an epidemic as prescription drug misuse has grown at an unprecedented rate,” said Nolan. “In the United States, we consume more than three quarters of the world's prescription medications and therefore access to prescription drugs either accidentally or for misuse is greater than in any other country. Nearly 70 percent of those who have misused prescription medications report gaining access to the drugs through the their friends or family.”
According to the NPD, Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
Nolan offered several steps that one can take to help reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse:
• Dispose of unnecessary, expired, or unwanted medications. Don't flush them down the toilet or throw them in the garbage. Rather, dispose of them at a safe disposal site, such as the Oxford Police Department.
• Communicate with your family members the dangers of the non-medical use of prescription drugs. 40% of teenagers report believing that prescription medications are safer than illegal drugs. This is not the case. 15,000 die each year due to prescription medication overdoses alone and when mixed with alcohol and other substances, prescription drugs become even more deadly. Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused drug in the United States and can lead to addiction. In addition, a majority of those who use heroin report first misusing prescription drugs.
• Keep an inventory of your medical cabinet, so that you are able to monitor their use. Include expiration dates, quantity, and recommended dosage. Ensure that access to the medical cabinet is restricted only to those who need access.
“We face an epidemic that our community must join together to address,” Nolan said. “Join us in addressing addiction and preventing the loss of another member of our local community. In addition to offering the disposal of prescription medication, officers will have available for the public medical cabinet inventory cards and resources for parents and children concerning the misuse of prescription medication and other drugs.”
The OPD additionally has a permanent prescription dropbox available to the public in it's lobby during office hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and after hours when an officer is on duty.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.
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