Photo provided by SPD
Lt. Ryan Burrell speaks to a Suffield Senior Center audience about proper disposal of prescription drugs.
On January 25, officers of the Suffield Police Department were invited to the Suffield Senior Center to discuss the dangers surrounding prescription drugs with the twenty senior citizen residents in attendance. Lt. Ryan Burrell of Suffield PD shared with attendees significant reasons to ensure unwanted, expired, and unused medications should be disposed of properly and in a timely manner to include 1) reduce drug abuse by any whom can encounter the medications such as family members and guests in the home, 2) reduce accidental poisoning, and 3) contribute to a clean and environmentally sound means to dispose of medications rather than contributing to contamination of water ways by using toilets to dispose of medications.
Elizabeth Murphy of the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) then discussed prescription drug safety tips as well as medication disposal kits in which unwanted medications can be dissolved in a special kit using just water. These kits are available at selected local area pharmacies and grocery stores.
On this date, the Suffield police collected a total of over twenty-six (26) pounds of prescription medications brought in by residents. Suffield Police will dispose of these medications in accordance with regulated protocols.
The Suffield Police Department participates in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day annually in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy. Any community member who wishes to discard unwanted and/or expired medications at any time may do so at the Suffield Police Department at the Prescription Collection Drop Box located in the lobby of the Suffield Police Department at 911 Mountain Road. Records Clerk Ms. Elizabeth Sagan is available at the police department daily Monday through Friday to assist residents utilizing the drop box.
For questions about prescription drug and other medication disposal, please contact Lt. Burrell at RBurrell@SuffieldCT.gov or Officer Reynolds at JReynolds@SuffieldCT.gov. Both may be contacted by telephone at 860-668-3870.
Residents and community members looking for more information about the dangers associated with prescription medications, illegal drugs, and/or addiction may contact the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council at (860) 286-9333 ext 202 or visit http://casac.org/. Additional information is available at the Suffield Local Prevention Council Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Suffield-Lo cal-Prevention-Council 1696241267359480/.