29th Drug Takeback hits 120+ lbs.
PUTNAM — The 29th Drug Takeback day in Putnam took in 120.2 pounds of prescription drugs.
Substance Abuse Program Director at the Hale YMCA Romeo Blackmar said over the past 28 years Takeback days have averaged more than 120 pounds of unused, expired and unwanted medications turned in for safe disposal.
“This amounts to over one and a half tons of medications that have been removed from possible misuse by teens and adults,” he said.
He added that combined with the Prescription Drug Drop-Off box in the Putnam Police Department lobby since 2012, another ton of medications have been safely disposed of by the Putnam Police Department.
The Drug Takeback days are conducted on the last Saturday in April and in October.
Putnam Police Department Captain Justin Lussier said since the last Drug Takeback last October, the police station lobby box has taken in about 500 pounds.
He said the lobby box has taken in “thousands of pounds of unwanted medications. We routinely empty the box about once a week and they typically weigh anywhere from 25-40 pounds.” The box is available 24/7, no questions asked.
Blackmar said the program started in 2010 with the Putnam Police Department and members of the Local Prevention Council (LPC) beginning with PRIDE and now Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center Drug Prevention. The twice-yearly Takeback is sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
Drug Takeback
Despite the rain, at least four boxes of prescription drugs were gathered at the 29th Drug Takeback Day held April 26. From left: Putnam Police Officer Kyle Maheu, Substance Abuse Program Director, Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, Romeo Blackmar; and Deb Barbour, secretary for the Putnam Lions Club. Linda Lemmon photo.
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