Provided by the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission:
Credit: Naoto Anazawa
Demonstrating that prevention starts at home, Bucks County residents turned out in full force on Saturday, October 24, for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
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In partnership with local law enforcement, community members safely disposed of 10,805.91 pounds of expired or unneeded medications and 802.28 pounds of sharps across 49 designated collection sites countywide.
“Removing over 11,600 pounds of unused medications and sharps from our homes is a massive win for public health and safety in Bucks County,” District Attorney Joe Khan said. “To see our collection numbers jump by 12 percent from earlier this year shows just how committed Bucks County residents are to keeping our homes and neighborhoods safe. I am deeply grateful to the Medication Take Back Committee, BCDAC, our local police departments, and the residents who took action to keep our community safe.”
Since the initiative was launched in 2010, the Bucks County community has collectively and safely discarded 274,173.29 pounds of medication.
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In addition to collecting unwanted medications, seven event locations provided fifty free kits free of NARCAN® (Naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray, a life-saving emergency treatment used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Bucks County residents can also request free NARCAN® at any time through the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission Inc. by calling 215-444-2700 or emailing bcdac@buckscounty.org.
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Year-Round Drop Boxes
Residents who were unable to attend Saturday’s event can still safely dispose of unneeded household medications year-round. Bucks County maintains 45 permanent, anonymous drop boxes inside police stations, municipal buildings, and in 5 of the 6 Bucks County Hospitals.
To find a permanent drop-box location or view a list of accepted items, visit www.bcdac.org.
Essential Home Medication Safety Tips
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Store Safely: Keep all medications in a secure and dry location out of reach of children and visitors.
Follow Instructions: Take prescription drugs strictly as directed by your healthcare provider.
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Never Share: Prescriptions are tailored specifically to the individual; never share them with others.
Dispose Properly: Avoid flushing or throwing medications into household trash. Always use collection drop boxes or community take-back events.