Armstrong Law Enforcement ‘Taking Back’ Unused Prescriptions

From 10AM-2PM Saturday, April 30, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be available in Pennsylvania.

As with previous Take-Back events, approximately 300 collection sites will be available across Pennsylvania and Delaware for the public to anonymously and safely dispose of their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for free – including at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Kittanning and the Parks Township Police Department in Vandergrift.

Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division said rates of prescription drug use across the country are “alarmingly high,” as are the number of accidental poisoning and overdoses to these drugs.

“Prescription drug abuse has reached an epidemic level across the county. Many
Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to illegal diversion, misuse, and abuse,” Tuggle said. “I am encouraging the public to take full advantage of this free service that the DEA offers to safely dispose of their prescription medicine.”

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. In addition, Americans are now advised that the usual methods for disposing of unused prescription drugs, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, pose potential safety and health hazards.

During the DEA’s last Take-Back event in September 2015, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and tribal, state and local law enforcement partners. Over the ten previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds — more than 2,750 tons — of prescription drugs.

Law enforcement officials cannot accept sharps, syringes/needles and radioactive medications.