On April 22, Bucks County held its semi-annual combined medication and sharps collection. Law enforcement officers collected unused and expired prescription medications for safe disposal at 48 locations throughout the county as part of Bucks County’s local observation of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Since it began in 2010, Bucks County has collected more medication than any other Pennsylvania county. This April, Bucks County surpassed a major milestone, collecting more than 200,000 pounds. To date, 201,331.24 pounds of medications have been collected at public sites, senior housing centers and homebound residencies.
“Being No. 1 in the state in medication take back shows that the citizens of Bucks County are dedicated to this cause,” said District Attorney Matt Weintraub. “And reaching more than 200,000 pounds of collected medication since the inception of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is another example of our community’s commitment to keeping all of us safe.”
“For nearly 13 years, Bucks County residents have responded to the plea to rid their homes of unused medications. Keeping medications in the home can lead to accidental drug overdose by children and adults, as well as contribute to substance use disorder, theft and illegal distribution. We are grateful for the support of the Bucks County Commissioners, the District Attorney, law enforcement and others,” said Diane Rosati, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission Inc. executive director. “The true heroes here are everyday residents who often ask how they can help reduce substance use in our community, and they collected over 200,000 pounds of medication, which will never harm anyone.”
Residents are urged to practice safe medication storage and disposal year-round. Additionally, the lifesaving medication naloxone (or Narcan), which can help to reverse an opioid overdose, is available free of charge to any resident in Bucks County. Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission Inc. offers walk-in hours at their office as well as other distribution sites and mail-to-home programs available to residents.
To those who missed the collection event on April 22, free and anonymous medication disposal is available year-round via any of the 44 permanent drop boxes located in police stations and hospitals throughout Bucks County. In most locations, all medications will be accepted, including pills, capsules, ointments, liquids, nasal sprays, inhalers and pet medications. Needles and illicit drugs are not accepted. There are now five permanent sharps disposal boxes at area hospitals. For more information, visit bcdac.org or call Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. at 215-444-2700.
