LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Unused prescription drugs find their way too often into the wrong hands, creating a dangerous and often tragic situation.
Many times prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved to be abused or illegally sold.
Meanwhile, drugs flushed down toilets contaminate the water supply, so it's important to dispose of them properly.
When in doubt, throw them out! This Saturday, October 26, is National Drug Take-Back Day.
28/22 News sat down with Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell to talk about local efforts.
"Saturday is to draw attention to the problem that we have with folks with use disorders abusing drugs," Powell explained.
The biannual promotion is sponsored by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the take-back day in April gathered 335 tons of medications at 4,869 collection sites nationwide.
Among them are multiple opportunities in Lackawanna County.
On Saturday, there are three drug take-back events hosted by the Lackawanna Recovery Coalition.
From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., you can bring your unused or expired medication for proper disposal at the North Pocono Public Library in Moscow, Valley Community Library in Peckville, or the Taylor Community Library in Taylor.
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The drive accepts prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, and topical medications like creams and ointments.
Powell says keeping these drugs in your home can be dangerous for several reasons.
"One it's not good, to take expired medicine, but you're also vulnerable, having excess medicine," Powell added.
They can also increase the chance of theft.
"Folks who have use disorders focus in on obtaining these drugs and diverting the drugs from those who have legitimate prescriptions. They either resell them to purchase drugs of their choice, or they ingest these drugs, taking them from others like aunts uncles grandparents," Powell stated.
Saturday event is nationwide. Many police departments and prescription centers serve as drop-off locations daily with no questions asked.
