Derry, NH (October 8, 2021) — The Derry Police Department, Salem Police Department, Parkland Medical Center and South Central Public Health Network will be taking part in the National Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Prescription Drug Take Back Day and “Crush the Crisis” effort on Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which will allow the community to safely dispose of all prescription medications - unused or expired prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, and opioid medications.
The DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Crush the Crisis collection sites will be available on Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
- Derry Police Department, 1 Municipal Drive, Derry, NH
- Salem Police Department, 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Salem, NH
Law enforcement officers and staff will be collecting all prescription medications - tablets, capsules, and patches of Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Oxymorphone (Opana), unused and/or expired Rx drugs and over the counter medications. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices will also be accepted only after the batteries are removed. Please note, needles, syringes, lancets and liquids will not be accepted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70,630 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, with more than 70% attributed to opioids. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. is seeing an increase in opioid usage, and it is possible that a significant number of opioid addictions and overdose deaths come from individuals accessing unused opioids prescriptions of family and friends.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 23rd Take Back Day / Crush the Crisis, please contact the Derry Police Department at (603) 432-6111, Salem Police Department at (603) 893-1911 or visit takebackday.dea.gov.