Got Drugs???

On Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the East Haddam Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will 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. 

Bring your unwanted pills for disposal to the East Haddam Senior Center at 15 Great Hillwood Road in Moodus for "Drug Take-Back Day." 

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (700,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at the more than 8,800 sites operated by the DEA and its state and local law enforcement partners. When combined with what was collected in its ten previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of unwanted pharmaceuticals. 

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. 

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 "Take Back Day" event, contact Officer Jeffrey Rhoades at 860-873-5041 or East Haddam Youth & Family Services at 860-873-3296.

If you have unwanted pet medications that are no longer needed, be sure to bring those along for disposal as well.

*Please note: The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches.

If you would be interested in receiving future East Haddam area police activity reports as they are posted, just send an email request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com