ALLENTOWN, PA — Multiple organizations in Pennsylvania are banding together this week to call on their fellow Pennsylvanians to play a vital role in the fight against prescription drug misuse. This call to action is linked to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) forthcoming National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day initiative on the 27th of April.
This drive is no stranger to the inhabitants of the Keystone State; it’s been a regular occurrence since 2010, and a decisive weapon in the arsenal against prescription drug misuse. The initiative offers a viable platform for individuals to dispose of medicines at risk of falling into the misuse trap, with an added convenience to boost participation.
“Prescription Drug Take-Back Day offers an opportunity to discard expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medicaments in a secure manner. We urge Pennsylvanians to scrub their medicine chests clean, locate the closest take-back box, and surreptitiously drop off the drugs on Saturday—it’s really that easy,” remarked the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Dr. Latika Davis-Jones.
When the most recent iteration of this noble cause took place in October 2023, the DEA was successful in gathering more than 30,000 pounds of redundant medication across 262 collection points, all within Pennsylvania’s borders.
The Shapiro Administration has also been proactive in curbing harmful drug usage. Throughout the year, Pennsylvanians can dispose of medicines through the state’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Program. According to Secretary Davis-Jones, “In addition to the DEA’s boxes on Saturday, there are hundreds of DDAP drug take-back boxes available throughout Pennsylvania year-round for residents to use.”
Since its establishment in 2015, the state’s drug take-back program has successfully destroyed over 1.3 million pounds of prescription medication across 888 take-back boxes in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) also contributes to this initiative by creating an environment for safe drug disposal across their 65 stations throughout the year. No personal information is required and drop-off boxes are accessible 24/7. In the past year, PSP stations have collected over 4,400 pounds of medications.
“It’s a straightforward process — gather your unwanted or expired medications and drop them off at our free, convenient prescription drug drop-off boxes located at 65 of our stations. With your participation, we can ensure these drugs are disposed of properly and safely,” stated Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) plays a pivotal role in this mission through their Counterdrug Joint Task Force (CJTF). Operated by the Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG), the CJTF is responsible for the collection and weighing of discarded pharmaceuticals via Pennsylvania’s drug take-back program. The task force also provides counterdrug assistance and training to requesting law enforcement and community-based organizations.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 83% of adults aged 65 and above are currently on prescription medicine. A higher rate of exposure to potentially addictive medicines is seen in older adults, who are more likely to take multiple prescription drugs. This underlines the need for regular clean-ups and disposals of any redundant medication to prevent potential misuse.
“We implore everyone to consider the risks and take necessary action to discard unused or unwanted medications. This action can protect both the older adults and those who come in contact with those prescriptions, thereby preventing misuse and potential lethal overdoses,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich.
There is a consensus that everyone can contribute to the resolution of the opioid epidemic. As Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong put it, “Each bottle of safely discarded medications that doesn’t make it onto the street can be a life saved.”
For extended information on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, one might visit the initiative’s website at takebackday.dea.gov. For information about Pennsylvania’s year-round drug take-back locations, you could refer to ddap.pa.gov/drugtakeback.
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