A drug take-back collection in Newtown Borough.
Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
Local police are teaming up with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and community groups to hold a prescription and over-the-counter drug take-back day.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day drive happens this Saturday from from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place at 49 sites throughout the county, several in the Newtown area. The event is free and completely anonymous.
The bi-annual collection event gives residents a chance to safely get ride of unwanted, unused or expired medications that otherwise may end up being used illegally or in the public water system.
“One in four families in Pennsylvania is affected by the opioid crisis,” said Jennifer Smith, acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “We lose far too many people to opioid overdoses,” said Smith. “These people are mothers, fathers, daughters and sons. They leave behind grieving families.”
Bucks County is a statewide leader in the program and collect thousands of pounds of drugs every take-back day.
Residents can go to any one of the locations in the county, no questions asked and drop off their medications to local police department sites where an officer and volunteers will be available.
“The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is an important part of the effort to combat the opioid crisis,” said Pennsylvania State Police Captain Raymond Singley. “Allowing for the safe, anonymous disposal of prescription drugs helps to ensure that powerful narcotics and other medications do not end up in the wrong hands.”
“Please take the time to pull out the drugs you don’t need and get rid of them.”
- Newtown Fire Association, 14 Liberty Street, Newtown Borough
- Newtown Township Municipal Building, 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown
- Upper Makefield Police Department, 1076 Eagle Road, Upper Makefield
All drugs collected through the initiative are sent to the DEA and incinerated.
