This online video story tells how The Keep Unwanted Medicine Out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection Day in Erie resulted in the collection of 600 pounds of medicine and personal care products in April.

The collection event brought in over 73,000 pills and lots of controlled substances like narcotic pain medication, said Sara Grise, Pennsylvania Sea Grant coastal outreach specialist.

The Collection Day was part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge. The challenge involved over 100 collections across eight states.

The unsung heroes at the event were the police and pharmacists who accepted the pharmaceuticals for process. Also assisting at the event was ECS & R - Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling in Cochranton, Pa.

Organizers of the Erie collection included PA Sea Grant, the City of Erie, Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, LECOM School of Pharmacy, and Erie Times-News in Education. Organizers partnered with WJET-TV Erie Green Campaign.

Online Video: Erie Drug Collection Event

7/25/2008