This Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a day dedicated to providing a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. The event also aims to educate the public about the potential for abuse of these medications.
In Lancaster County, the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police will be collecting unwanted, unused, or expired medication. You can drop off your items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Giant pharmacy on Lititz Pike in Warwick Township. Please note that sharps, syringes, or aerosol sprays will not be accepted.
Penn State Health is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local police departments to collect unwanted, unneeded, or expired medications for safe disposal. The public can drop off medications, needles, and syringes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various drive-through locations in Dauphin, Lancaster, and Berks counties.
Over in Berks County, Penn State Health is also participating in the event. They will be collecting unwanted, unneeded, or expired medication for safe disposal. You can drop off medications, needles, and syringes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various drive-through locations. This event is in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and several local police departments.
"National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days play a key role in making our communities safer and healthier," said Deborah Addo, Penn State Health president and chief operating officer. "By collecting unwanted and expired medications, as well as used needles and syringes, we’re keeping them out of the hands of children and others who could accidentally – or intentionally – harm themselves."
Penn State Health has participated in these events, which take place twice a year, since 2015. So far, these efforts have collected more than 6,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medications and 270 large sharps containers full of used needles and syringes.
In addition to the take-back events, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has offered drug return boxes since 2019 in partnership with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. These boxes are available during regular business hours at three Hershey locations.
For more information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and to find a collection site near you, visit the DEA's website.