Officials collected over 5,600 pounds of unwanted and expired medications during the 11th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Montgomery County.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, officials collected unwanted and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines at 29 locations throughout Montgomery County. All of the drugs were then dropped off at the Upper Merion Police Department, weighed and loaded into a truck and then taken to an incineration location.
In all 5,637.8 pounds (almost three tons) of drugs were collected during the event, 50% more than last year’s total, according to officials.
The event was part of an ongoing campaign that seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft in Montgomery County. During the initiative, officials have reached out to residents and encouraged them to get rid of unused prescription drugs that pose a safety hazard and can contribute to prescription drug abuse.
“Prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem, and take-back events like this are an indispensable tool for reducing the threat that the diversion and abuse of these drugs pose to public health,” a Lansdale Police spokesman wrote.
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