COALITION CORNER: Prescription Drug Take-Back supports a safer, healthier community

Did you know that unused and expired medications should not be disposed of at home? Throwing medications in your household trash, or flushing them down the toilet, for example, can lead to contamination of our groundwater. Even more concerning, many people who misuse prescription drugs first obtain them from home, family members, or friends. Opioids and other medications can quickly lead to addiction when taken without a prescription or medical supervision. Regularly cleaning out old medications is an easy way to protect your family, community, and environment.

This past weekend, the Tri-Town substance use prevention coalition (The Coalition)  participated in the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for the first time. This event promotes awareness around the importance of safely disposing of expired or unused medications. A collection site was set up at Masco Middle School, in conjunction with the Tri-Town Household Hazardous Waste Collection event, providing an opportunity for residents of the Tri-Town to safely dispose of two types of potentially dangerous items in one convenient location. Coalition coordinator, Nicole Gregoire-Allis, shared "This was a wonderful opportunity to take The Coalition out into the community to speak with residents and raise awareness about medication safety."  

The Coalition partnered with Detective Sergeant and School Resource Officer Brendan Gahagan of the Topsfield Police Department, who handled the safe collection and disposal of the medications. This was Topsfield Police Department's first in-person collection and promotion of the Take Back Day initiative. "This was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of cleaning out your medicine cabinet," Gahagan said.

We were pleased that several Tri-Town residents came by to drop off medications, and others came by to ask questions and pick up resources. Following the event, Det. Sgt. Gahagan safely disposed of the collected medications, along with six months’ worth from Topsfield drop-off sites, totaling 243 pounds since the last DEA Take Back Day in April 2025.

Aside from these annual Take Back Day events, old and unneeded medications can be safely disposed of at any time in secure drop-boxes in the police stations of all three towns. Members of The Coalition thank Tri-Town residents for doing your part to keep our groundwater clean and our neighbors safe!

For more information on Take Back Day, go to www.dea.gov/takebackday. 

For more information about our Coalition, visit: tritowncouncil.org/coalition.