#MiddleburyCT #DrugTakeback
The Southbury Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will take back unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The take back gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Take medications for disposal to the Southbury Police Department at 421 Main St. S. in Southbury, Conn. The service is free and anonymous, 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.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection said the following about Drug Take Back Day:
Interested participants can visit one of the 116 drop boxes in the state. A map of participating locations is available at www.ct.gov/dropbox.
Items that are accepted in drug drop boxes:
Over-the-counter medications
Prescription medications
Medication samples
Medication for household pets
Medicated lotions and ointments
Items that are not accepted in drop boxes:
Needles or other “sharps”
Hazardous waste
Thermometers
Personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, etc.)
Used needles should be placed in a hard-plastic container, such as a laundry detergent bottle, clearly labeled with “Sharps Waste” and “Do Not Recycle.” In Connecticut, when the container is three-quarters full and the lid is sealed with tape, it can be placed in the curbside trash.
Loose needles should never be recycled, placed in the trash or flushed down the toilet. You may call your physician, local hospital or pharmacy to check if they accept properly contained needles for safe disposal.
When storing medications at home, be sure to keep them in their original container, do not combine pills or capsules, follow temperature instructions, and avoid hot and humid areas, such as a bathroom medicine cabinet.
If you are unable to visit a dropbox, you can safely discard of unwanted medications at home. Combine uncrushed capsules in soapy water or coffee grounds, place them in a sealed plastic bag, and throw it out in the household trash. Never flush unused medications down the toilet as they can have harmful effects on the environment.
If you cannot attend Prescription Drug Take Back Day, you may look up locations that offer year-round drop boxes.
For additional resources on Drug Take Back Day, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday.
Visit DCP’s website for additional information, including a video showing how to dispose of unneeded or unwanted medication.
Anyone who has questions about drug disposal or would like to host a drug take back event, can contact DCP’s Drug Control Division at dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov.
