Medication Disposal Program
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Bring your unused or expired prescriptions to the Manchester Police Department.
Place it in the secure Drop Off Box in the Police department lobby.
Police will have the dugs destroyed in an environmentally safe manner.
Why Participate?
It Protects the Environment
Throwing medication in the trash, down the drain or in the toilet is harmful to the environment.
Drug residues have been found in surface water, such as rivers and lakes, and in some community drinking water supplies.
It prevents theft and substance abuse
Narcotic pain relievers and other controlled substances pose a danger of medication interaction, potential addiction, and potential overdose.
The most common places teens report getting prescription drugs are from home and family members.
Unused medication in your home can cause poisoning of children and pets.
A Reminder from the Board of Health: Sharps Safety
Syringes and sharps (lancets, etc.) are NOT to be thrown onto regular trash.
For several years, the Board of Health has been a drop-off site for used syringes and has safely disposed of them. This is a no-fee service.
Please use a standard bio-hazard red box which can be purchased at a pharmacy, OR, a heavy plastic bottle/jug such as an empty laundry detergent or dishwasher soap bottle. Also some coffees are still sold in metal cans or a heavy plastic material. A plastic soda or water bottle is too light, and the needles will penetrate this material.
If reaching the Board office in Town Hall is problematic for you, I have arrangements with both the Police Department and the Fire Department for weekend or after hour’s drop-offs.
Health Department
As you may have read in the newspapers, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has had severe cutbacks in all departments and programs. This includes the flu vaccination materials.
The Board of Health every year has purchased a number of doses which are used for the Senior Medicare clinics. We have purchased again this year, and will have free clinics ONLY for these residents age 65 and over. Delivery date of the vaccine is unknown, but I expect to have clinics late September and October. As the vaccine covers for approximately 6 months, it is NOT a good idea to get your flu shot in August, despite what the commercial outlets say. This past year’s flu cases occurred in March and April.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call The Public Health Nurse, Betty Benn, at the Board of Health office, 978-526-7385.
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