WESTPORT, Conn. — On behalf of the Westport Police Department, Westport Senior Activity Center and Positive Directions, First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker presents the town’s 2024 Annual Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by Positive Directions. announced the addition of a new wellness fair.
Date and time: Saturday, April 27th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Westport Senior Activity Center (27 Imperial Avenue)
The DEA and Westport Police Department collect pills, capsules, patches and other solid prescription medications. Syringes, sharps and illegal drugs are not accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, must remain sealed in their original containers. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Drug overdose, a clear current public health problem, is an epidemic in the United States. A total of 100,105 people died from drug overdoses in 2022, a record high, according to the National Safety Council. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to educate the public about the potential for drug abuse while providing a safe, convenient and responsible means to dispose of prescription drugs, organizers said. For more than a decade, this event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unnecessary drugs (old, unnecessary, and expired) that are often the gateway to addiction. Working with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed 8,950 tonnes of medical supplies from circulation since its inception.
Residents are encouraged to bring their expired or no longer needed medications to the senior center on Saturday, where the Westport Police Department will safely dispose of them, then stay to enjoy their wellness experience.
For the first time in Westport, Drug Take Back Day will feature a variety of wellness activities and resources. Residents are encouraged to have their blood pressure checked and take an “above the neck health check” (a free behavioral health check). Visitors can enjoy a relaxing sensory table and receive nutritional tips and trivia.
Prevention resources include drug awareness activities (sobriety goggles, liquor stickers, rock bags, Narcan demonstrations), tick and mosquito prevention tips, gambling awareness materials, and more. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, non-alcoholic beverage tastings will be available courtesy of Athletic Brewing.
The Town is pleased to acknowledge the following agencies for providing resources at this Wellness Fair: Positive Directions, Westport Police Department, Westport Human Services and Westport Senior Activity Center, Aspetuck Health District, The Hub, and Liberation. program, High Focus Center, Michelle Didner, Waveney Care Center, and Westport Prevention Coalition.
This press release was created by the Town of Westport. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
