State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) recently held a successful prescription drug take-back event, and collected 96 pounds of expired or unused prescription drugs from residents living in the 63rd District.
“We partnered with the Harvard Police Department for the two-hour event and enjoyed a steady stream of cars,” said Reick. “In all, 49 vehicles passed through the drive-through event, and everyone was very appreciative to have a safe method for disposing of their unused medications.”
In a recent national survey on drug use and health, it was discovered that 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs in 2019 and that the majority of the abused prescriptions were obtained from family or friends, and often from home medicine cabinets.
“Safely disposing of dangerous drugs at events like this takes potentially deadly pharmaceuticals out of the hands of those who would intentionally or unintentionally abuse them,” Reick said. “I was glad to sponsor an event that helped reduce the amount of unused prescription drugs that were sitting in people’s homes.”