FRAMINGHAM, MA -- On Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10:00am - 2:00pm, the Framingham Police Department, in concert with the Medical Reserve Corps, will allow the public to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills, patches, liquids, or ointments for disposal to the Framingham Police Department at 1 William Welch Way, Framingham, MA, (off Union Ave, in Downtown Framingham).

The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. 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.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.

If you plan on attending, continue to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing.

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