Massachusetts Drug Take Back: 13 Tons Collected

More than a ton of unused prescription drugs were collected in Massachusetts during the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 28, officials said. Drugs were collected — no questions asked — at more than 100 locations across the state, mostly police stations. About 27,000 pounds of drugs were collected in all. Across New England, more than 44 tons of drugs were collected.

Authorities said the collections keep unused drugs out of the hands of potential abusers and out of local water supplies.

“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse," DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Albert Angelucci said in a statement. "DEA thanks the citizens of New England and our dedicated Law Enforcement partners for their efforts in making this initiative a success.”

Aside from the collection events, many police stations in Massachusetts have drug collection boxes in lobbies that can be used 24 hours a day.

DEA officials cited a recent national survey that claimed 6.4 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. Most of those drugs are obtained from home medicine cabinets, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Another national drug take back event will be held in October.

Photo credit: Shutterstock