It’s free and it’s anonymous. And those taking part will help make their homes and the community safer. Saturday is Bridgeport Police Department’s Drug Take Back Day. Assistant Police Chief Randy Hartley urges residents to bring in unwanted and unneeded prescription medications during designated hours of the national event, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

“Those medicines can be disposed of in a container at Bridgeport Police Department parking lot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” he said. “You are free to dump those prescriptions and there will be no questions of any kind asked.”

 

Accepted are over-the-counter, controlled and non-controlled substances. The medicines can be disposed of in the original container or removed from the container and disposed directly in the box. If leaving the medicines in original containers, please remove any identifying information by removing the label or using a permanent marker to mark out personal information, Hartley suggested. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in original bottles.

 

The drug take back initiative is not intended for intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes or medical waste. Illicit substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamines, will not be accepted.

 

Each year, between three and four large trash bags full of drugs are collected during the Bridgeport event.

 

This method of disposal is ideal, Hartley explained.

 

“Drugs are not to be flushed into the water system and if they are simply thrown in the trash – or not disposed of at all and left in a medicine cabinet - you’re putting yourself at risk for break-ins,” he said.

 

Combined, drug take back events around the nation make a positive impact with regard to the drug epidemic, Hartley said.

 

“I do think it’s helping,” he said. “A lot of medication is being taken from parents and grandparents by teens. The drugs should be disposed of in this proper way so medication is not in your home, serving as a temptation and enabling young people to experiment with them.”

Although Saturday has been designated drug take back day, area residents are free to dispose of unwanted and/or unneeded drugs on a regular basis by taking them to Bridgeport Police Department.