The PA Resources Council, PA American Water and other organizations will host three Drug Take-Back Day drop-off collection events in Allegheny County on October 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The events will be held at--

-- Green Tree: Green Tree Borough Building, 10 W. Manilla Avenue;

-- Mt. Lebanon: Medical Rescue Team South, 315 Cypress Way; and

-- Robinson: The Mall at Robinson, Sears parking lot, 100 Robinson Centre Drive.

“This program provides a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications,” according to PRC Regional Director Justin Stockdale.  “People should not flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash since improper disposal poses a very real threat to the environment.

“Building off of the success of past collections, PRC will again collaborate with the DEA and local law enforcement to provide residents with a safe and convenient option, thanks to the support of our many sponsors,” said Stockdale.  “PRC is proud to collaborate with PA American Water as well as the Borough of Green Tree, Municipality of Mt. Lebanon, Robinson Township, The Mall at Robinson and the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.”

Nationwide on Drug Take-Back Day, more than 5,000 collection sites will enable patients, caregivers and pet owners to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at no cost. 

“Unwanted, expired or unused prescription medications are often an unintended catalyst for addiction,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.  “Take-Back events like these raise awareness and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to help prevent substance abuse.”

Since launching the nationwide Drug Take-Back Day effort in 2010, the DEA and its partners have collected more than 6.4 million pounds – about 3,200 tons – of medication. 

According to the DEA, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

To Find Drop Off Locations Near You

Click Here to find permanent drug take-back locations near you from the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

Click Here to find locations affiliated with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Take-Back Day..  

For more information concerning the three local collection events sponsored by the PA Resources Council and PA American Water, visit PRC’s Pharmaceuticals webpage or call 412-488-7452.

Pending Legislation

House Bill 1737 (Maher-R-Allegheny), passed by the House in May, would make it easier to dispose of unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs collected during drug take-back day events.

The bill is supported by a variety of groups, including DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board which highlighted the importance of providing safe disposal of unwanted or unneeded prescription and other drugs.

Covanta Energy, which supplies safe and secure disposal of prescription drugs through its Rx4 Safety Program, also supports the legislation.  Covanta operates five energy-from-waste facilities in Pennsylvania, including in Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and York counties.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to take up the bill at a meeting on October 17.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.

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Related Story:

Senate Environmental Committee Meets Oct. 17 On Prescription Drug Destruction Bill

10/17/2016