A campaign to help dispose of unwanted or unused drugs, whether prescribed or illegal, has taken more than 120,000 pills off the streets of the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) borough since its launch in 2018.
Led by ABC Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), ‘RAPID’ (Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs) is an initiative that promotes and facilitates the removal of all types of prescription and illegal drugs from the local community and provides disposal bins in various places across the council area.
There are 12 bins in total – with one in Banbridge recently being relocated to the new Future Proof new premises at 15 Commercial Road, Banbridge.
The RAPID Bins – which are bright yellow – are also located at the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre, Keady; Milestone Supermarket, Rathfriland; Tesco Craigavon; Tesco Lurgan; SPAR Aghagallon; Portadown Health Centre and Asda Superstore, Portadown, Corcrain Community Hub, Portadown, The Mall Shopping Centre, Armagh, Vivoxtra, Banbridge and Vivo Ennis Close, Lurgan.
“Over the last seven years, these bins have played a pinnacle role in helping to combat the illegal use of drugs and prescription medication within our local communities,” commented Alderman Mark Baxter, Chair of the PCSP.
“The RAPID initiative provides a safe way for anyone to dispose of drugs, whether they are prescribed or illegal, and to do so discreetly and anonymously. Drug misuse, involving both illegal and prescription drugs, is sadly a common issue and has the potential to cause suffering and tragedy to individuals, families, and communities.
“It is fantastic to see community organisations installing the RAPID bins within their facilities to make it easier for the disposal of unwanted or unused drugs, tablets or medicines.”
Some of the most common drugs disposed of in the RAPID bins are Diazepam, Citalopram, Gabapentin, Quetiapine, Mirtazapine, Pregabalin, Tramadol, Naproxen, Co-Codamol, Amitriptyline, Paroxetine, Kapake, Fluoxetine and Codeine.
For more information on RAPID please visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info/rapid or contact Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership on 0300 0300 900.
