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Health & Fitness

The Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Melrose Police Department and Walgreen's Pharmacy invite you to join us for National Medication Take Back Day! Saturday April 27th, 2013 10 am – 2 pm

Participate in National Medication Take Back Day, this Saturday April 27th, 2013 from 10am-2pm at the Melrose Police Station and Walgreens Pharmacy at 897 Main St. Melrose, MA 02176.

Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean spending a whole weekend in your attic, garage, or basement anymore; it also includes cleaning out your medicine cabinet! If you are holding onto expired or unused prescriptions or over-the-counter medications, bring them to the Melrose Police Station OR Walgreens Pharmacy in Melrose on Saturday April 27th between 10am and 2pm to be properly disposed of! 

We are very pleased to announce that Walgreen’s Pharmacy approached the
City of Melrose and asked to become a Take Back Site for this national event. We commend Walgreens for taking this initiative and thank them for being such an active community partner!  As a special thank you for participants turning in medications at the Walgreen’s site, you will receive a 15 - 20% coupon toward your next Walgreen’s purchase! Free blood pressure screenings will also be available during the event.

We are fortunate in Melrose to already have the ability to safely dispose of medications and syringes all year round.  For over 3 years, the Melrose Police Department has operated a permanent medication drop box located in the
station’s lobby, while the Melrose Fire Department on Main Street maintains a
syringe drop box.  Both are available to residents 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

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Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing problem in our region, especially for our youth. Among adolescents, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the commonly abused illicit drugs by high school seniors.  According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the 2012 Monitoring the Future Survey, 50% of high school seniors said that prescription drugs are “fairly easy or very easy to get.” Nearly 1 in 12 high school seniors reported nonmedical use of Vicodin; 1 in 20 reported abuse of OxyContin.  When
asked how prescription narcotics were obtained for nonmedical use, 70% of 12th
graders said they got them from a friend or relative. Studies show that the majority of abused prescription and over-the counter drugs are often obtained
from home medicine cabinets without someone knowing. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids (such as pain relievers OxyContin, Vicodin), depressants (Xanax, Valium), and stimulants (Concerta, Adderall).

Drugs that are intended to be taken under doctor’s order can be extremely dangerous if used improperly and can potentially lead to an overdose. People who take medications as prescribed to them for a medical condition tend to not become addicted because the medication is prescribed in dosages and forms that are considered safe for that person. The drug addresses a real problem, so instead of it making the person feel high, it makes their condition better. There is a common myth that abusing prescription drugs is “safer” than abusing illicit drugs. However, when prescription drugs are taken repeatedly or in large doses, this changes the way the brain functions and can make it harder for someone to feel good without the drug, leading to cravings and potentially addiction.

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In addition to getting the drugs out of the home, disposing of them at the community drop box is also an environmentally friendly way to prevent drugs from being flushed down the toilet and getting into thewater supply. Recent national reports have raised environmental concerns about medications that are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink.  Studies show that trace
amounts of medications are being found in drinking water supplies across the
country, which has prompted public interest in how people are disposing of
these drugs.  Proper disposal is a significant way to lower the risk of groundwater contamination.

Help protect your family, your community and the environment by properly disposing of the prescription and over-the-counter medications you no longer need. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CLEAN OUT THE MEDICINE CABINET IN YOUR HOME AND TAKE PART IN NATIONAL MEDICATION TAKE BACK DAY THIS SATURDAY APRIL 27TH, 2013 10AM–2PM. 

Please note that liquids are not accepted at either take back location.
To dispose of liquid medications, pour into a sealable plastic bag or an empty can. Add a substance like kitty litter, sawdust or used coffee grounds and throw away in your household trash.


All medications can be dropped off at either
location:

  • Melrose Police Dept. 56 West Foster St. Melrose, MA 02176 - (781)-665-1212
  • Walgreens Pharmacy 897 Main St. Melrose, MA 02176 - (781)-665-1329

 

Accepted

  • Prescriptions
  • Prescription Patches
  • Prescription Medications
  • Prescription Ointments
  • Over-the-counter Medications
  • Vitamins
  • Samples
  • Medications for pets

Not Accepted

  • Liquids, Ointments or Lotions
  • Thermometers
  • Needles (Sharps) *only
    accepted at Walgreen’s Take Back site or Fire Station*
  • Medication from Businesses or Clinics
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Inhalers
  • Hydrogen Peroxide

 

Remember, if you cannot attend this Saturday’s event, you may bring ALL unused and/or expired prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications (except liquids) to the Melrose Police department to be deposited in the drop box located in the lobby. Syringes can be brought to the Melrose Fire Department on Main Street.  These drop off sites are available 7 days a week/24 hours a day!  If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, please call 781-979-4128. 

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