The Wareham Police Department will conduct Operation Meds Sweep, a prescription drug disposal day, on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Wareham Fire Department, 273 Main Street.

The sweep is part of a national initiative with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Residents are encouraged to gather expired, unused, and unneeded medications, which will be collected and safely disposed of by DEA.

Chief Richard Stanley urges Wareham residents to take advantage of the opportunity. “Prescription drugs are abused by young people in greater numbers than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants combined,” Stanley said. “In most cases, young people are able to get these drugs from their homes or from a friend’s home. Young people believe that these drugs are safer than so-called street drugs when in fact non-medical use of these drugs can be very dangerous and highly addictive.”

The prescription drug disposal is completely anonymous and free of charge. Syringes, needles, medical devices, thermometers, and IV bags cannot be accepted, however.

Stanley added: “On an ongoing basis, parents and grandparents need to monitor their prescriptions closely to ensure that their children or children’s friends don’t have access to these drugs. For example, keeping medication in the bathroom, while common, makes it easy for a curious teen to get their hands on these drugs.”

For more information, contact Wareham Police Detective Alan Courchesne at 508-295-1212 ext. 2238 or at alc@warehampolice.com.