Dispose of your old medications safely

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Updated April 25

The West Tisbury Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold a drug takeback on Saturday, April 27, from 10 am to 2 pm. People are invited to bring their old, expired, and unneeded prescription medications to be properly disposed of by professionals.

According to a press release, this is the 17th opportunity in nine years for Islanders to avoid misuse and theft of prescription drugs by getting rid of them as soon as possible.

Usual methods for disposal of prescriptions, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, pose potential health and safety hazards, according to the release.

“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” the release says.

“Last fall Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.”

According to West Tisbury police sergeant Matt Gebo, there is also a drop box for unused prescriptions available at the police station.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the take back day event, go to DEATakeBack.com, or call the West Tisbury police department at 508-693-0020.

Updated to include information about unused prescription drop box at West Tisbury police station. – Ed.