PUTNAM — Putnam PRIDE (The Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone) the local Drug Free Prevention Coalition, once again will join the Putnam Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in collecting unused, unwanted and expired medications. The 9th Drug Take Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Putnam Riverview Farmers Marketplace. 

 Since, the first Take Back Day conducted in September of 2010, PRIDE has collected over 1,600 pounds of prescription medications.  Combining that with the over 400 pounds collected this year at the Putnam Police Station Lock Box, over one ton (2,000) pounds of medications have been removed from possible misuse and abuse.  

The turn-in procedure is totally anonymous and very convenient for anyone who wishes to bring in their unused and expired prescription medications.  Participants can just drive thru the Riverview Farmers’ Marketplace and place their medications in the collection box, without having to exit a vehicle. 

 PRIDE Coordinator, Romeo Blackmar said, “This collection method has been successful in the past and we have seen an increase in the number of people taking advantage of our take back initiative.”

Deputy Police Chief and PRIDE Chairman, Lee Konicki stated, “Seventy percent of children who abuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends.  This is preventable by securing your medications at home and by discarding unused medications at the Drug Take Back Day, or by utilizing the Police Department’s Prescription Medication Lock Box located at 189 Church Street.”