The Pelham Police Department is joining forces with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on a one day initiative to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our community’s homes.  This national take-back initiative gives the public an opportunity to surrender pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to the Pelham Police Department for destruction.

The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates there are 6.2 million current non-medical users of psychotherapeutic drugs in the United States.  The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates there are more Americans abusing psychotherapeutics than the number of cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogen abusers combined.  Expired, unused, or unwanted controlled substances in our homes are a potential source of supply that fuel this abuse and is an unacceptable risk to our residents. 

The Pelham Police Department is requesting your support and hope you will join us in this effort to remove these drugs from our community.  Collections containers will be made available in the south parking lot of the Pelham Police Department on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 10:00 am through 2:00 pm.  There will be no questions asked so please help clean out the medicine cabinets in our city.

Collection Day Protocols

·         Controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter substances will be collected.

·         This program is anonymous and all efforts will be made to protect the anonymity of individuals disposing of medications.  No questions or requests for identification will be made.

·         Individuals may dispose of medications in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box.  If an original container is submitted, the individual will be encouraged to remove any identifying information from the prescription label.

·         Law enforcement personnel will not count, inventory, or log medications.

·         All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted.  Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.  The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

·         Intra-venous solutions, injectibles, and syringes will not be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

·         Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative.

·         All participants will place their medication in the collection boxes provided and law enforcement personnel will not handle medications at any time.

·         Law enforcement personnel will be on site at all times to safe-guard the surrendered material.

For additional information on the National Take-Back Initiative please contact The Pelham Police Department, Captain Larry Palmer, at (205) 620-6550.