More than 1 1/2 tons of unwanted drugs collected in Northwestern District on APRIL 28 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Most successful yet for Hampshire and Franklin counties and town of Athol

The Office of Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan and partners collected more than 1.5 tons of unwanted drugs during the April 28 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day making it the most successful Take Back Day yet in the Northwestern District.

The Take Back was done in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local police departments, councils on aging, Hampshire and Franklin sheriffs’ departments, TRIAD program, schools and other community partners.

“The Take Back days have not only been effective in getting these unwanted medications out of medicine cabinets and away from children, we’re ensuring these drugs won’t be disposed of improperly and jeopardize the environment, “ Sullivan said.

“The Northwestern District has not been immune from the heartbreaking effects of prescription drug overdoses,” Sullivan said.

“We know that more overdose deaths are caused from prescription drugs than from heroin and cocaine combined and that most prescription drug abusers, including children,  get the drugs the first time they try them from friends or family members – often without their knowledge,” Sullivan said.

“It’s encouraging that growing numbers of people in the Northwestern District have clearly gotten the message that having unwanted and unsecured prescription drugs in their homes  poses a public health and safety hazard,” Sullivan said.

A total of 3,144 pounds of drugs were collected at 22 drop-off locations in the district.

Some 2,388, pounds, or over one ton, were collected in Hampshire County.

Another 756 pounds were collected in Franklin County.

The NWDA and partners had already collected over 2 tons of drugs during two previous Take Back Days – more than the state of Vermont or Rhode Island. The April 28 totals  bring  the amount collected, so far,  up to more than 3 1/2 half tons.

Nationwide, some 995,185 pounds (498.5 tons) of drugs were removed, nationwide, during the previous three Take Bake Days.

The DEA expects to announce the results of the April 28 Take Back in the coming days.