Oct. 26: National Drug – and vape – TakeBack this weekend

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MANCHESTER, NH — This weekend the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will once again conduct one of its most popular community programs:  National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and this time, consumers will be able to drop vaping devices and cartridges into designated bins, including here in Manchester.

On Saturday October 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the public can dispose of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications.

The Manchester Police Department will also provide shredding barrels, so you can properly discard your unwanted confidential documents. Please limit one legal-size box per family. Plus, we will offer food and beverages at our touch-a-truck event at Police Headquarters. (weather permitting.) 

There will also be bins placed at Elliot Health Systems, Walmart,  and the New Hampshire National Guard Counter Drug Task Force.

The Manchester Fire Department has offered to pick-up unwanted/unused prescription drugs for any disabled resident unable to drive to a drop-off location. You can contact the Manchester Fire Department directly at 603-669-2256 to schedule a pick-up time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2019.

The DEA will accept pills and patches but cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps. In adding vaping devices and products to the list of acceptable items, note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium-ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium-ion batteries.

During the April 2019 Take Back Day, the DEA New England Field Division participated in the drug take-back day and, over the course of four hours, 89,366.3 pounds or over 44 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs we’re collected at 583 collection sites throughout New England.

The following was the breakdown of collected weights (in pounds) for the six New England states:

CT – 8,361.80

MA – 28,117.50

ME – 27,680

NH – 14,180

RI – 4,465

VT – 6,562

Total- 89,366.3

About this Author

Manchester NH Police Department

This press release was issued by Manchester, NH, Police Department.