A blue MedReturn prescription drug disposal unit has been added inside the front door of the Freeport Borough Police Department.
by Jonathan Weaver
Earlier this week, Freeport Borough Police became the sixth neighborhood with its own drug disposal unit.
District Attorney Scott Andreassi said communication began in November with the state District Attorneys Association about installing the blue-colored unit inside the police station door that enables local residents to safely-dispose of prescription drugs no longer needed.
“The boxes are sponsored by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. The local district attorneys work to get them placed at various locations, Andreassi said.
“The DA’s Association obtained a grant that enabled them to secure the boxes and arrange them to ship them to the municipality that is a host for the box. Pretty much the only thing the host has to do is provide a location and security.”
Other disposal units are located in Kittanning Borough, Parks Township, Apollo Borough, Kiski Township and ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township.
“What we’ve seen in the other boxes placed around the county is that increased usage over time as people realize there’s a safe, secure place that they can dispose of their used medications,” Andreassi said.
In October, Kittanning Borough Police Chief Bruce Mathews said the Drug Enforcement Administration picked up the most unused or expired prescription medications from the borough’s collection site since it was established in February 2014.
“There was a pick-up (in October) of 96 pounds. We’ve been involved in this program for (nearly) the last three years, and this was the highest (pick up),” Chief Mathews said. “We really see the box being used.”
A “Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” is also scheduled for free disposal of prescription drugs this Spring and Fall.
In his total of 28 years on the force, this is the first drug disposal unit for the borough, Police Chief Jeff Swiklinski said. He applied for the unit through District Attorney Scott Andreassi’s office.
“We try to fill every request we can,” Andreassi said. “Freeport Borough was the most-recent borough that requested placement of a box.”
Installed during the first weekend of 2017, Chief Swiklinski said it has already been utilized by local residents.
“Is it a major issue down here? No. But, I’m sure there are some,” Chief Swiklinski said. “This helps to get them out so people can’t get their hands on them and dispose of them properly.”
Chief Swiklinski enforces the borough with six part-time officers.
For residents with questions, they can call the Borough Police at 724-395-4897.