'Zombies' want your drugs

DOVER — “Zombies are scary, but your medicine cabinet is scarier,” was the message conveyed Wednesday by Dover Youth to Youth members on the steps of City Hall.

The middle and high school students dressed as zombies – covered in fake blood, wearing ripped clothing, and some with axes and knives through their heads – to make a big statement ahead of this Saturday’s National Drug Take Back Day.

The students promoted the event on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dover Police Department where people can safely discard potentially dangerous, expired and unused or unwanted prescription medications as well as e-cigarettes and vape pens. This is the first year the federal Drug Enforcement Agency will be collecting vape pens, related pods, cartridges and refill liquid.

“Our zombie demonstration is designed to make the point that just like zombies are scary, the drugs in your medicine cabinet can be as well,” said student Sam Gorman. “In a fun way, we wanted to get people’s attention, and encourage them to take the time to come out Saturday.”

In front of City Hall, the students chanted, “Your medicine cabinet is a really big fright," as passersby honked horns and waved out windows, while parents gathered on the sidewalk.

Dover Youth to Youth is a peer-oriented drug prevention group coordinated by the Dover Police Department. Students in grades 6 to 12 work on a variety of drug prevention programs and community service projects throughout the year, alerting the community about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

During a National Drug Take Back Day last April, the DEA reported 6,258 sites collected a total of 468.7 tons of drugs nationwide.

Cassidy Lanctot said the take back day is free and anonymous, “no questions asked.”

“This event is important because medicines in home cabinets are commonly stolen, misused and abused,” said student Mason Main, adding surveys show one in five New Hampshire high school students have used a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them.

It's proven that abuse of prescription drugs can lead to use of harder narcotics such as heroin.

According to Dover Coalition of Youth Coordinator Vicki Hebert, 70% of teens who abuse prescription drugs obtained the medications from family and friends.

This will be Dover’s 13th year participating in National Drug Take Back Day. Efforts have resulted in more than 2,000 pounds of drugs collected over the years in Dover alone.

“I feel it sends a really good message,” Youth to Youth member Huxley Schintzius, a seventh-grader, said of Wednesday’s demonstration. “I like to be an advocate.”

Seventh-grader Nadia Mohot said she wanted to bring to the attention of others that “drugs are bad.” “I don’t want anybody using drugs,” she said.

The Dover Police Department is at 46 Chestnut St. Individuals unable to attend a collection event during National Drug Take Back Day are encouraged to visit the permanent take back box at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

To find a Saturday collection site near you, visit takebackday.dea.gov.