Drug Take-Back Day events scheduled for Saturday
More than 4,000 locations nationwide, including several in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, will host events for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 21st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 23.
Penn Highlands Mon Valley is again teaming up with Carroll Township Police Department to host a Drug Take Back Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Center on the hospital’s campus. Folks are welcome to drop off expired and unused prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and ointments at the center’s front entrance.
“The safe disposal of medications is important because too often unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands,” Peggy Brown, director of pharmacy at Penn Highlands Mon Valley, said in a news release. “This event helps to reduce accidental overdoses in children and pets as well as illegal abuse or intentional overdoses in teens and adults. That’s why we encourage people in our region to clean off their shelves and turn in prescription drugs at our hospital.”
The DEA accepts tablets, capsules, patches and other solid prescription and over-the-counter drugs during Take Back Day events. Vaping devices and cartridges are also accepted, as long as lithium batteries are removed.
The DEA does not accept illicit drugs, syringes or other sharps.
There are several Drug Take Back Day event locations throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, all Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
In Washington County, people may visit Canonsburg police in the Shop ‘n Save parking lot at 617 W. Pike Street. South Strabane police will collect unwanted or unused drugs at the Sam’s Club at Trinity Point, and the Cecil Township police department is hosting its Take Back Day event at the Dollar General at 3575 Millers Run Road.
The Washington County Sheriffs Department is accepting drop-offs at the Main Street Pavilion in downtown Washington, while the City of Washington, Chartiers, McDonald and North Strabane police departments host Take Back Day events at their stations.
Mt. Pleasant police will hold its event at the municipal building at 31 McCarrell Road, Hickory.
Greene County residents can participate in Drug Take Back Day by visiting the state police station at 255 Elm Drive, Waynesburg.
Fayette County Drug Take Back Day event locations include the state police stations at both 1070 Eberly Way in Lemont Furnace and 560 Circle Drive, Belle Vernon.
A Drug Take Back Day event is also planned at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Folks may drop off medications at the Eberly Building, 2201 University Drive, Lemont Furnace, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Before dropping off medications, the DEA asks that all personal information be removed or blacked out on labels.
Last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, the largest number of drug-related deaths recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most who misused a prescription drug got that medication either knowingly or unknowingly from a family member or friend, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported.
For a full list of local drop-offs, or to locate a Drug Take Back Day event near you, visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.