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This initiative seeks to prevent increased medication abuse and promote the proper disposal of medications.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over the counter medications will be collected for destruction at Walgreens, located at 36 Pine St.
The service is free and anonymous.
Prescription and over the counter medications will be accepted.
Intravenous solutions, injectables and needles will not be accepted.
Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative.
As some are aware, the New Canaan Police Department has a medication drop box located in the lobby of the police department.
This drop box is available to the community throughout the year, 24/7.
This year alone, 248 pounds of unwanted medication has been discarded in the drop box at the police department.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and environmental health issue.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, 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, many do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away--both are potential safety and environmental hazards.
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