HARRISBURG – Expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs may be turned in at collection sites across the state on April 30, as part of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Organized by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter drugs will be collected for disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No requests for identification will be made by law enforcement officers at the collection sites.
“This service is free and completely anonymous,” PSP Commissioner Frank Noonan said today. “It gives Pennsylvania residents an opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous substances. More than 121 tons of pills were turned in nationwide during the first take-back initiative held in September 2010.”
“Many Pennsylvanians may not be aware that older and unused medicines in homes can pose substantial public health, environmental and safety issues,” said PCCD Chairman Mark Zimmer. “The overall goal of this program is to prevent prescription abuse and reduce the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses.”
This is the second year for the take-back program, an initiative of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Noonan said those who are unable to take advantage of the program on April 30 should check with their local municipality or local recycling service for similar programs. Information also is available on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site at www.fda.gov.
For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or www.pccd.state.pa.us.
