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Mass. Leaders Urge Residents To Turn In Unused Prescription Drugs

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation are urging residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day later this month.

The national effort, set for April 26, encourages people to get rid of unused prescription drugs at local police departments and other designated drop off sites. At Monday's City Hall event, politicians said prescription drugs in family medicine cabinets are one of the easiest gateways to drug addiction.

Massachusetts, they said, had 600 drug overdose deaths last year, up from 300 about 12 years ago. The state has declared heroin overdoses and opioid addiction a public health emergency. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren says the take-back program is one way to reduce access to prescription drugs.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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