Are there expired or unused prescription and over-the counter medicines in your home? Then bring them to the National Take Back Day drug collection event in Allentown on Saturday, September 12.
The Allentown Health Bureau and the Allentown Police Department will collect medications as part of the 10th National Take Back Day at the Giant Supermarket at 3015 W. Emmaus Avenue from 10am to 2pm. The city agencies are participating in the program in partnership with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Expired, unused and unwanted medications, including capsules, pills, liquid products, creams in containers and pet medications will be accepted. Syringes with needles and other sharps will not be accepted. This service is free; no identification is necessary and no questions will be asked.
Drug Take Back programs address a vital public safety and public health issue. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including those found in the home medicine cabinet. “Taking the simple step of cleaning out your medicine cabinet of old and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can significantly reduce the possibility of an accidental poisoning or intentional misuse by a family member,” said Allentown Health Bureau Injury Prevention Manager David Synnamon.
In addition, citizens are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.
A September 2014 Take Back Day brought-in more than 545 pounds of medications across Lehigh County. That brings the total to all collections across the county to more than 8,100 pounds since 2010.
Persons who are unable to attend the September 12 event are reminded that a permanent collection box is available at the Allentown Police Department’s Patrol Station at 10th & Hamilton streets. The patrol station location is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the station lobby.
The one-way collection boxes are bolted to the floor to prohibit removal of the boxes and retrieval of medications from within the boxes without proper authorization.
The collected medications are burned in an approved incinerator.
Information provided by:
Mike Moore
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
435 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
http://www.AllentownPA.gov
