HOLDEN, Mass. — The Massachusetts State Police hosted a Drug Take Back Day at their Holden barracks Saturday.
Massachusetts State Police teamed up with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative. The nonprofit provides training, strategic guidance, support and resources to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery. People were able to drop off unused or expired medications, as well as learn how to use the overdose-reversing medication naloxone.
"PAARI's website is paariusa.org and we'll be working with the State Police to just connect people to different services and recovery and hope to have more events like this in the future," said PAARI Executive Director Allie Hunter.
The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative said 80% of people struggling with substance use disorder start with misusing overprescribed opioids. All of the drugs collected Saturday will be safely disposed.