SFS hosts Drug Take-Back event Oct. 22
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 66th Security Forces Squadron will host a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day here Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Individuals with base access may dispose unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication by providing to SFS personnel at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) lobby or at one of the installation's two gates. Officials are not able to accept liquids or needles.
“With the hope of increasing the amount of unused prescription pills collected, security forces will also pick up meds from base housing if personnel are unable to make it to one of the collection sites on base,” said Investigator Brandon Z. Johnson, 66th Security Forces Squadron, who is coordinating the Oct. 22 event at Hanscom.
During last April’s ‘Take-Back’ event, Hanscom collected more than 60 pounds of prescription medicine, the highest amount collected since the program began in 2011.
"In the past five years, the 66th Security Forces Squadron has held numerous 'Take-Back' events and collected more than 500 pounds of prescription pills," Johnson said. “Not only did we collect a record amount of unused prescription drugs last April; nationwide, the DEA collected more than ever before.”
According to a national DEA release following last spring’s event, Massachusetts had the fifth highest collection among the 50 states.
“These results show that more Americans than ever are taking the important step of cleaning out their medicine cabinets and making homes safe from potential prescription drug abuse or theft,” said Chuck Rosenberg, then DEA acting administrator in the release. “Unwanted, expired or unused prescription medications are often an unintended catalyst for addiction. Take-Back events like these raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to help prevent substance abuse.”
According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids website, more Americans die each year from drug overdoses than in car crashes.
“We hope to set a new record amount with the collection next weekend,” Johnson said.
Officials note that disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash may pose potential safety and health hazards.
The Bedford Police Department will also be collecting unused prescription medicine at the police department at 2 Mudge Way.
For questions concerning the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at Hanscom, or those unable to dispose of medications on the scheduled date, contact Johnson at 781-225-5618.
For a list of additional collection sites available in other communities, visit the Department of Justice website at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.
Individuals with base access may dispose unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication by providing to SFS personnel at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) lobby or at one of the installation's two gates. Officials are not able to accept liquids or needles.
“With the hope of increasing the amount of unused prescription pills collected, security forces will also pick up meds from base housing if personnel are unable to make it to one of the collection sites on base,” said Investigator Brandon Z. Johnson, 66th Security Forces Squadron, who is coordinating the Oct. 22 event at Hanscom.
During last April’s ‘Take-Back’ event, Hanscom collected more than 60 pounds of prescription medicine, the highest amount collected since the program began in 2011.
"In the past five years, the 66th Security Forces Squadron has held numerous 'Take-Back' events and collected more than 500 pounds of prescription pills," Johnson said. “Not only did we collect a record amount of unused prescription drugs last April; nationwide, the DEA collected more than ever before.”
According to a national DEA release following last spring’s event, Massachusetts had the fifth highest collection among the 50 states.
“These results show that more Americans than ever are taking the important step of cleaning out their medicine cabinets and making homes safe from potential prescription drug abuse or theft,” said Chuck Rosenberg, then DEA acting administrator in the release. “Unwanted, expired or unused prescription medications are often an unintended catalyst for addiction. Take-Back events like these raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to help prevent substance abuse.”
According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids website, more Americans die each year from drug overdoses than in car crashes.
“We hope to set a new record amount with the collection next weekend,” Johnson said.
Officials note that disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash may pose potential safety and health hazards.
The Bedford Police Department will also be collecting unused prescription medicine at the police department at 2 Mudge Way.
For questions concerning the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at Hanscom, or those unable to dispose of medications on the scheduled date, contact Johnson at 781-225-5618.
For a list of additional collection sites available in other communities, visit the Department of Justice website at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.
