National Drug Take Back Day

The Portsmouth Police Department will be joining the Drug Enforcement Administration and other seacoast communities on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday, October 24th 2020, at the Portsmouth Police Department from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  The event is being offered to the community to provide an opportunity to turn in prescription drugs which may be in your household and are no longer needed.  The department will take pills, patches, and liquid medicine.  No needles or sharps will be accepted.  The service is free and anonymous. Another drop off option in the city will be at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, at the Discharge Lounge entrance near the main entrance, also from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

This event is part of a continuing effort to help prevent prescription drug and opioid abuse, and offer the community a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs. Disposing of prescription drugs in the trash or flushing them down the toilet are not advised because they can cause potential safety and health hazards.

Many abused prescription drugs are obtained from friends and family, including from home medicine cabinets.  The majority of heroin/fentanyl users start with prescription drug abuse and then turn to illegal opioids because they’re cheaper and easier to get.  Turning in prescription drugs can also assist in the prevention of accidental poisoning and overdose deaths.

If you are unable to attend during the event day and time, the Portsmouth Police Department has a drug take back box that offers members of the community the opportunity to drop off prescription drugs on any day and at any time, anonymously. 

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 24th  Take Back Day event, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov.