Dedham Police Issue Reminder About Prescription Drug Disposal

The Dedham Police Department on Wednesday issued a reminder to residents that it maintains a drug collection kiosk in the lobby of the station at 600 High St. 

The reminder comes just two months after Gov. Deval Patrick declared a public health emergency over what was called "an epidemic of opiate abuse in Massachusetts."

In Dedham, four deaths in 2013 were due to overdoses, and the towns's ambulance provider administered Narcan that resulted in overdose reversal on 20 different occasions, Dedham police said. 

"Prescription drugs which are no longer needed can be safely disposed of in this kiosk 24 hours a day, seven days a week," the reminder reads. "There is no paperwork and no questions asked."

Drugs can be disposed off in the kiosk at the department, and hypodermic syringes can be safely disposed of by contacting the Dedham Board of Health at. 

Moreover, the state's General Laws include "Good Samaritan" laws that are meant to encourage anyone suffering from an overdose or who are present where someone else is overdosing to seek medical help, according to Dedham police. 

"Those acting in good faith can also obtain a prescription for Naloxone, an opioid antagonist which can temporarily reverse the effects of opiate overdose," Dedham police said. 

The drug, police said, provides time for appropriate medical assistance to be sought to treat an overdose.