Saugus Police holding drug take-back event

SAUGUS ? Police in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will hold a prescription drug take-back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the police station at 27 Hamilton Ave.Expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications can be disposed for free and anonymously with no questions asked.Police said the initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue, as unused or unwanted medicines are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, and the usual methods to get rid of unused medicines ? flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash ? pose potential safety and health hazards.Last October, Americans turned in more than 647,000 pounds of prescription drugs at more than 4,114 sites, according to police. In combination with seven other take-back events in the past, the DEA and partners have collected more than 3.4 million pounds of pills.