New Bedford Police Take Back Record Amount of Prescription Medications

Residents brought a record 433 pounds of unused, unwanted prescription medication Saturday to New Bedford Police headquarters at 871 Rockdale Avenue during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The nearly quarter ton of medication turned in Saturday is more than double the amount collected at the October turnback event and represents the highest number ever collected by the New Bedford Police Department. It also led all other SouthCoast departments taking part in Drug Take-Back Day.

The event, which is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse and medications. This ensures that the medications do not end up in the wrong hands or in the ecosystem.

The event was organized by detectives Kelly Almeida and Bryan Oliveira.

Police also want to remind people they can drop off unwanted or unused medications any time, no questions asked, at any one of the three stations or at police headquarters on Rockdale Avenue.

--New Bedford Police