Drug Take Back Day Scheduled For Saturday, Sept. 29

If you've got unused and unwanted presription medications lying around and don't know what to do with them, the Woonsocket Police Department can help you out Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 

The WPD, The Office of Attorney General, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rhode Island State Police, the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), the City of Providence, and local police departments state-wide will accept prescription medications for safe and secure disposal at 36 collection sites across Rhode Island with more locations added daily (for a complete list,  see the attached .pdf). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

“The non-medical use of prescription drugs is a growing public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse.  In fact, non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America,” said Attorney General Kilmartin.   “Users don’t need to buy their drugs on dark street corners.  Most abused prescription drugs come from family and friends – and the home medicine cabinet.  You could be a drug dealer and not even know it.”

Prescription drug abuse is quickly becoming a major epidemic in Rhode Island and across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more Rhode Islanders die from accidental prescription drug overdose than any other cause of death.  And the number of individuals - especially teenagers - who abuse prescription medication is growing. 

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.

Please note: Needles are not accepted at collection sites.  Liquids are accepted, so long as they are sealed.