Drug “Take-Back” Program

The Attleboro Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Stop & Shop are teaming up to give the citizens of Attleboro an opportunity to prevent pill abuse, misuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Residents can bring their medications for disposal to the Attleboro Stop & Shop located at 469 Pleasant Street.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

According to the DEA, Americans turned in 377,080 pounds of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA in a similar program last year.  The program involves nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies who partner up for this effort.  In its three previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners are reported to have taken in almost a million pounds of pills.

During  the initiative earlier this year, Attleboro Police received three large trash bags full of prescription drugs which were then submitted to the D.E.A. for destruction.  As many as 50 residents took advantage of the opportunity to remove the unwanted or outdated drugs from their homes.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to 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 warned that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards.

Questions can be directed to the Police Department Detective Division at 508-222-1259.