ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An effort to get outdated or used prescription drugs out of medicine cabinets is underway this weekend.
Pennsylvania’s Drug Take-Back Day, which happens twice a year, is Saturday.
“Since the establishment of Pennsylvania’s drug take-back program, there have been more than 1 million pounds of prescription medication destroyed," said Latika Davis-Jones, the Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
She led the event where various state agencies came together at the Lehigh County Government Center Wednesday. She was joined by Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Terrence Koudelka, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PACE Director Tom Snedden, Department of Aging, and Phil Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive
Davis-Jones said the number one source where people, particularly young people, get access to prescription drugs is in a family member’s medicine cabinet.
“We want to ensure that people are safe, the community is safe and we want to continue the legacy that we've started here in Pennsylvania, and that is taking back prescription drugs to get them out of the cabinet and to ensure that our communities are safe,” she said.
The Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs said since the establishment of the Pennsylvania drug take-back program, there have been more than 1 million pounds of prescription medication destroyed.
The Pennsylvania National Guard then takes the medications to dispose of them.
“At each location, we will work with DEA agents to wait and load the prescription drugs and transport them to staging points," Koudelka said. "Once at the staging points, the drugs will be weighed by DEA agents, then into EPA-certified incinerators. We often get asked why the Pennsylvania National Guard is involved in this program; drug take-back day aligns directly with our goals of working to reduce the availability of illicit drugs, improve public safety, and diminish drug use in our society.”
“I think the whole purpose of the takeback day is if we save one life, we change one person, we keep drugs from getting in the hands of just one wrong person, what have we accomplished?"Phil Armstrong, Lehigh County Executive
In Lehigh County, people can drop off on Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm, at Wegmans grocery store at 3900 Tilghman Street, Giant grocery store at 3015 West Emmaus Avenue, and Lehigh Valley Health Network on 17th and Chew Street, among other locations.
“I think the whole purpose of the takeback day is if we save one life, we change one person, we keep drugs from getting in the hands of just one wrong person, what have we accomplished?" Armstrong said. "We've changed a life, a life that may go on to become a valuable member of our county, our state and our country."
The collection sites accept solid medications such as tablets and capsules. They also accept solid pet medications.
Each drug collection box includes signs advising which items can be deposited and those that they do not accept, like illicit drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Sites do not accept any medication with needles, such as epi-pens, or pressurized canisters, like asthma inhalers.
“In every community law enforcement is fighting to stop the people peddling the drugs, while local leaders find ways to provide resources and support to everyone struggling with substance use disorder,” said Barry Howe, First Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations/Narcotics for the Office of Attorney General. “This is not a fight that can be won by any single agency or with outdated methods of arresting all offenders.”
No identification or information is needed at the drop-off locations. A list of sites can be found on the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website.
