Salem Police will conduct a prescription drug disposal day as part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on September 25, 2010 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Salem Police Headquarters (95 Margin Street).  Residents are encouraged to gather expired, unused and unneeded medications, which will be collected and safely disposed of by the U.S. DEA at no cost to the local community.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett urges Essex County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.  "Prescription drugs are abused by young people in greater numbers than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined," D.A. Blodgett said.  "In most cases, young people are able to get these drugs from their homes or from a friend's home.  Young people believe that these drugs are safer than so-called street drugs when in fact non-medical use of these drugs can be very dangerous and highly addictive."

"We are involved in this effort in order to help get these potentially dangerous drugs out of your homes and disposed of legally and safely.  Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem and one that we all need to address," added Chief Paul F. Tucker.  "On an ongoing basis, parents and grandparents need to monitor their prescriptions closely to ensure that their children or children's friends don't have access to these drugs.  For example, keeping medication in the bathroom, while common, makes it easy for a curious teen to get their hands on these drugs."

The prescription drug disposal is completely anonymous and free of charge for residential users.  

Syringes, needles, medical devices, thermometers, and IV bags cannot be accepted.

For more information, please contact Sgt. Harry Rocheville @ 978-744-0171, ext. 218 or go to www.dea.gov to find a collection site near you.