Western Massachusetts towns to collect prescription drugs this Saturday
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – On Saturday, communities across western Massachusetts will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
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Saturday is the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an effort on both a local and national level to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs. Local law enforcement and area district attorney offices are encouraging residents to drop off any prescription or over-the-counter drugs for humans or pets.
Since 2010, Take Back Days have removed 19.2 million pounds of unused medications from across the country, including nearly 650,000 pounds in Massachusetts.
'It's kind of a collective effort to save lives by preventing misuse and accidental ingestion, and also while keeping those medications out of our water resources and landfills,' said Maria Pantoja, the Director of Drug Diversion and Treatment Program of the Northwestern DA's Office.
There are take-backs scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, the Wildwood Elementary School in Amherst, the Worthington Fire Station, Smith Vocational in Northampton, and the Belchertown Town Common.
Officials say medicines can remain in their original containers with labels. They're asking you not to bring liquids, syringes, IV equipment, or chemotherapy drugs, but prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and veterinary meds are accepted.
To find a collection site near you, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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