Bridgeport Police Department will again host a Prescription Drug Take-Back Event this coming Saturday, Oct. 22. 

 

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Bridgeport Police Department will be collecting unused and/or expired pharmaceuticals between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Bridgeport Police Department, 515 West Main Street. 

 

All types of prescriptions - controlled and non-controlled - can be safely disposed of. A uniformed officer will be on site with a take-back box, in which individuals can drop containers or empty loose pills.  For non-liquid medications, the medication should be removed from its container. Blister packages are acceptable without removing medications. Liquids, creams and sprays must be in original packaging. Over-the-counter medication, ointments and patches can be brought, as can be non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications. 

 

The method of disposal is much preferred over tossing the medications in the trash or flushing them – or keeping them in cabinets, Police Chief John Walker said. 

“Drugs can contaminate our water supply and keeping hard narcotics in your home encourages break-ins and, of course, they can end up in the wrong hands, including those of children,” he said.

 

As is customary for drug take-back collections, DEA representatives will pick up the drugs and dispose of them properly.

 

Bridgeport PD participates in the drug pick-ups a couple times per year, in the spring and in the fall. All of the events have been successful, Walker said.

 

The first National Prescription Take Back Day was held in September of 2010. Shortly thereafter, U.S. Congress approved legislation amending the Controlled Substances Act, providing the DEA with the option of developing a permanent process for safe and convenient disposal of prescription drugs.

 

Bridgeport Police Department stresses that this event is for disposing of medications only. Personal care products and hazardous household products such as paint and pesticides cannot be disposed of at this event. Also not permitted are illegal drugs, needles/sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials or mercury thermometers.