NORWICH/OXFORD – On Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Norwich Police Department, Oxford Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be joining in the effort to give the public its eleventh opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

“Many believe that prescription medication is safe because it is prescribed by a medical professional, but when misused or accidentally ingested, prescription medication can lead to poisoning, overdose, and even death,” said Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan.

Any unused or expired medications for disposal can be taken to the Norwich Police Department located at 18 E Main Street in Norwich (rear parking lot) or to the Oxford Police Department at 20 LaFayette Park in Oxford. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Nolan added that needles and liquids will not be accepted during this event.

Resources will also be on display and freely available related to prescription medication and addiction at the Oxford location.

“Our local communities face an epidemic as prescription drug misuse has grown at an unprecedented rate,” said Nolan. “In the United States, we consume more than three quarters of the world's prescription medications and therefore access to prescription drugs either accidentally or for misuse is greater than in any other country. Nearly 70 percent of those who have misused prescription medications report gaining access to the drugs through the their friends or family.”

According to the NPD, Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.