Drug-Take-Back event scheduled Published Oct. 13, 2017 HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base personnel seeking to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication may do so during a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event here Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Personnel from the 66th Security Forces Squadron will be at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) lobby to collect prescriptions during that time. SFS officials are not able to accept liquids or needles. “The 66th Security Forces Squadron is committed to ensuring the well-being of all those who live and work at Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Investigator Keith Keen, 66th Security Forces Squadron, who is coordinating the event. “Removing these unwanted, unused or expired medications is one way we are able to do that.” According to the DEA website, the Drug Take-Back initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. 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. In addition to the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, base personnel also have the option to turn in unused or expired controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter medication at a MedSafe drop box located in the lobby of the Hanscom clinic in Building 1900. Anyone interested in disposing of medication at the MedSafe drop box may do so Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when the clinic is open. Personnel living on base also have the option of scheduling SFS to pick up prescriptions in base housing. To learn more about that, or for general questions concerning the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at Hanscom, contact Keen at 781-225-5624. For a list of additional collection sites in other communities, visit the Department of Justice website at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.