Second Drug Disposal Event Planned by Sudbury CRANE (Community Resource Awareness Network) and the Sudbury Police Department

Help prevent drug abuse in our community! On
Saturday, April 26, 2014, Sudbury CRANE and the Sudbury Police Department are sponsoring
a Drug Disposal Event from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Sudbury DPW Complex located at
275 Old Lancaster Road, Sudbury. As part of National Drug Prescription
Take-Back Day, this is an opportunity for residents to dispose of unwanted and
expired drugs in a responsible manner.

Bring your unwanted or expired prescription
medications, controlled substances, over the counter drugs, herbal remedies,
vitamins, and pet medications for secure and confidential disposal. Please
place these items in a clear plastic bag or plastic containers. Items do not
have to be in their original containers. Sudbury CRANE volunteers will accept
the drugs, and police will be on site to secure the drugs and to ensure proper
disposal.

This event is very important
because, according to the advocacy organization Foundation for a Drug-Free
World, more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs, more than the
combined number who reported abusing cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and
heroin. The Centers for Disease Control consider prescription drug abuse an
epidemic, and in March, Governor Deval Patrick declared a public health
emergency in Massachusetts in response to the growing number of people who have
died from addiction to painkillers.

Among young people ages 12-17,  prescription drugs have become the second
most abused illegal drug behind marijuana. Teens 12-17 have the highest annual
rates of prescription drug abuse after young adults ages 18-25. Every day, 2500
teenagers use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Most teens say
it is easy to get prescription drugs at home, and there is a correlation
between illegal prescription drug abuse and heroin use. Many people who start
abusing painkillers and other medications often find themselves turning to
heroin for a cheaper, stronger high. Drug collection events like this one help
to ensure that teens do not have access to powerful prescription narcotics that
could lead them to addiction.

For those who are unable
to participate in the April 26th Drug Take-Back Day, the Sudbury
Police Department now has a permanent drug disposal kiosk located in the lobby
of the Sudbury Police Station. Unwanted drugs may be dropped off confidentially
in the kiosk at any time.

According to Sudbury
Police Chief Scott Nix, “The Sudbury Police Department continues to seek
positive partnerships to further benefit the health and safety of our youth,
CRANE is one of those partnerships.  I appreciate the support provided by
CRANE members for events such as the April 26th Drug Take Back
Event.  Our first event, held in October of 2013, resulted in 191 pounds
of medications being disposed of properly to prevent adverse effects to the
environment but more importantly out of reach of children.”

Sudbury Community Resource
Network (CRANE) members are happy to be able to help with this important
community program. CRANE was established to help our community deal with issues
facing youth and their families. As part of our mission CRANE hosts community
events like the Drug Disposal Program. For further information about CRANE, to
contact us, and to find appropriate resources for youth and family support,
please visit www.cranehelp.org.