On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, local and state law enforcement agencies, and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its ninth opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The Take-Back Day event is free and anonymous, no questions asked, with drop-off sites located throughout Windsor County. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in this country are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” said Sheriff Mike Chamberlain of Windsor County. “We look forward to participating in Take-Back Day again this spring as part of our continuing effort to protect the health and safety of Windsor County residents.”

In April of this year, Windsor County residents emptied their medicine chests and nightstands of 259 pounds of drugs, 31 pounds more than collected the previous fall.

Supported by public health coalitions, Take-Back Day aims to prevent prescription drug abuse, a growing problem in the U.S. that claims lives through overdoses and accidental poisonings. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Where to go

The following locations in Windsor County will serve as drop-off sites on Take-Back Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27:

• Windsor Police Department;

• Weathersfield Transfer Station (operated by the Weathersfield Police Department);

• Springfield Police Department;

• Ludlow Police Department;

• Hartford Police Department;

• Woodstock Police Department;

• Royalton Police Department;

• Norwich Police Department; and

• Rochester Constable Office (operated by the Royalton State Police).

In addition to Take-Back Day, households in Windsor County may take advantage of permanent drop-boxes in the lobbies of the following police departments: Chester, Hartford, Ludlow, Royalton, Springfield, Windsor, and Woodstock. For a complete listing of locations and hours of operation, visit: http://www.mappvt.org/Prescription_Drug_Return.html

The Take Back Day and Permanent Collection services are free. Liquids, lotions, powders and patches are accepted in addition to pills and capsules. Medication return venues are supported in part by the Windsor County Partnership for Success, a coalition of prevention partners and law enforcement working together to reduce prescription drug abuse and underage drinking.

For more information about Take-Back Day, visit dea.gov or call the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department at 802-457-5211.