Prescription Drug Take Back Set for April 30

Prescription Drug Take Back Set for April 30

Next Saturday, April 30, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The day is designed to ensure proper disposal of unused prescription drugs and to keep the drugs from being misused and abused. According to a 2011 survey in Pennsylvania, 14 percent of youth surveyed admitted to taking prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them and 18 percent felt that prescription drugs were not harmful.

Prescription drugs may be dropped off at the following locations in our area.

Drop-off hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•McKean County Sheriff’s Department, 17129 Route 6, Smethport.

•Pennsylvania State Police Coudersport Barracks, 3140 E. Second St., Coudersport.

•Potter County Sheriff’s Department, Potter County Courthouse, 1 E. Second St., Room 24, Coudersport.

  •Coudersport Borough Police Department, 201 S. West St., Coudersport.

•Pennsylvania State Police Emporium Barracks, 12921 Route 120, Emporium.

The Emporium Police Department also has a permanent drop-off box at 421 N. Broad St., Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here for more information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

On April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pennsylvania State Police Emporium Barracks and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to 12921 Route 120, Emporium. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)

 The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website