Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

DEPARTMENTS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES ENCOURAGE ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST DRUG TAKE BACK DAY EVENTS

Wednesday, April 19th 2017 – Saturday, April 29th is National Drug Take Back Day, and the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is encouraging organizations to host drug take back events for residents. National Drug Take Back Day events involve the disposal of prescription medication, and events must be coordinated with local police departments and DCP’s Drug Control Division.
National Drug Take Back Day events are effective ways for organizations to bring communities together to dispose of unwanted medication, provide additional information about safe medication disposal and storage, and conduct training sessions.
“Our Drug Control Division at DCP works hard to provide as many opportunities as possible for Connecticut residents to dispose of their unwanted medication,” said Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, “Nearly 34,000 pounds of medication were disposed of in the state’s drug drop boxes in 2016 alone. We know that safe drug disposal is just one way to fight the opioid crisis, and we hope organizations will work with us to host drug take back events and provide helpful information to the state’s residents on National Drug Take Back Day.”
“Prescription painkiller misuse can often lead to serious opioid and heroin addiction. Drug Take Back events are a great way for people to safely dispose of unwanted medications so they don’t fall into the wrong hands,” said DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. “We encourage communities throughout the state to take this day as an opportunity to host events and play their part in battling the opioid crisis.”
To hold a drug take back event organizations should:
  • Arrange a time and location. The location should be easily accessible to the public.
  • Speak with your local police department. Police departments are authorized to collect and dispose of medication waste and should be present at each event. 
  • Contact DCP’s Drug Control Division. Drug take back events reported to DCP are shared with those interested in Take Back Day events in their community. If you are unable to have a local police department present for the event, please contact the Drug Control Division by emailing dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov or by calling (860)713-6065 to discuss other options.
  • Contact your Regional Action Council. Regional Action Councils bring key constituency groups together to reduce substance misuse, and provide training, education, and prevention programming to their respective communities. Find your Regional Action Council’s information at www.ctprevention.org. 
  • Let DCP know if you have questions. Anyone interested in hosting an event is encouraged to contact DCP by emailing dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov or by calling (860)713-6065.
For additional information, and for a list of permanent Drug Drop Boxes located at police stations throughout the state, go to www.ct.gov/dropbox.
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Media Contacts:
Department of Consumer Protection
Lora Rae Anderson
Lorarae.anderson@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 247-8711 (cell)
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Diana Lejardi
diana.lejardi@ct.gov
(860) 418-6967 (office)
(860) 558-0024 (cell)