'Got Drugs?' Get Rid of Them, Montville

There's probably not be a medicine cabinet around that hasn’t held an unused or expired medication. You know, that bottle of pink amoxicillin with a few teaspoons left. Or that nausea medication you used once. Or even more dangerous medications including what many seek out -- narcotics; that pain medication you don’t need anymore.

You’ve got to get rid of it and Montville has just the place for you to do that, at the new drug drop box at

Local anti-substance abuse, law enforcement and local agencies say, including the strikingly high number of people abusing prescription medications. According to Southeastern Regional Action Council executive director Michele Devine, prescription drug abuse is one of her biggest concerns.

SERAC says:

• Pain killers are the most commonly abused prescription drug.
• In 2008 1.9 million youth ages 12-17 have abused prescription drugs. In
• In Southeastern CT more than 10% of high school students have used a prescription drug to get high. (SERAC Regional Youth Survey 2008-2010

Hence the worry about youth access to drugs right in their bathroom medicine cabinets.

Plus, as explained by Montville Police Det. Dave Radford and Devine, senior citizens are targets. Some may keep medications, even if they currently no longer need them, because of the high cost of prescription drugs.

And Devine said local real estate companies should have people that are trying to sell their homes using open houses, remove medications before letting strangers inside.

“It’s true. People go to (real estate open houses) to steal drugs,” Devine said.

Convinced? Here’s what you do

Montville Community Police Officer Gregg Jacobson has worked hard to make sure people have 24-hour access to the box – never a question asked. Drugs, including syringes, called sharps, and even liquid medicines can all be dropped off. Check out the video for an easy how-to  (the drug drop box is easy to use, clearly explaining what to do). People can access it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but form 12 midnight to 6 a.m. every day, the front door to the Public Safety Building is locked; you will need to be buzzed in.

The drug drop box was made possible by the efforts of, and funding from SERAC, the Mohegan Tribe and Southeastern Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (SCADD) Montville Police Department.