Griswold Pride Collects Largest Amount Ever During National Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, October 24, 2020, Griswold Pride, Griswold First Selectman Todd Babbitt, and Jewett City Resident State Trooper Matt Rei all participated in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Annual Drug Take back day.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs.  Since 2016, National Drug Take Back Days have taken over 441 tons of unwanted, unused, and expired medications out of homes so they would never find the streets.

Griswold Pride, The Partnership to reduce the influence of drugs for everyone, leads the charge locally since the drug take back days have begun.  They have also added events such as a pickup from elderly housing.  There are 2 national drug take back days annually.

Saturday’s take back day was the best yet!  They provided a convenient drive through service where you could hand over medications to either Pride Coordinator Miranda Mahoney, Griswold First Selectman Todd Babbitt, or Jewett City Resident Trooper Matt Rei for proper disposal.  Mahoney Stated, “This was our most successful collection to date since we started in 2015. When we started, we were lucky to hit the 100 pound mark, the numbers today show the increase in awareness of our residents in the importance of proper medication disposal. You’re protecting the meds from diversion into the wrong hands. The majority of youth who misuse prescription drugs, get them from someone’s medicine cabinet.”

Saturday’s event netted 230 pounds of medications with 88 cars coming through.

For additional resources, please visit, www.griswoldpride.org or https://takebackday.dea.gov/

 

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