Delaware County Hosts First-Ever Prescription Drug Take Back Day!

MEDIA, PA— Thanks to coordination by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Delaware County District Attorney’s office; and Delaware County municipalities, 13 of Delaware County Police Departments will take part in a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. Local Police will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at pre-determined sites countywide on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, from 10 A.M.-2 P.M. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that sit in home cabinets are at a high risk for misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Participating sites in Delaware County include:

• Brookhaven Municipal Center: 2 Cambridge Rd., Suite 100, Brookhaven, PA 19015
• Lighthouse Hall Community Center: 1401 East 9th St., Eddystone, PA 19022
• Radnor Township Municipal Building: 301 Iven Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
• Wayne Senior Center: 108 Station Rd., Wayne, PA 19087
• Glenolden Borough Building/Police Dept: 36/38 Boon Ave., Glenolden, PA 19036
• Media Police Department: 301 N Jackson St., Media, PA 19063
• PA State Police Barracks: 1432 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
• Springfield Township Building: 50 Powell Road, Springfield, PA 19064
• Ridley Park Borough Police Department: 230 West Chester Place, Ridley Park, PA 19075
• Sharon Hill Borough Hall: 250 Sharon Ave., Sharon Hill, PA 19079
• Tinicum Township Police Department: 629 North Governor Printz Blvd, Essington, PA 19029

• Upper Chichester Township Police Department: 8400 Furey Rd., Boothwyn, PA 19061
• Upper Darby High School: 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA 19026
• Upland Police Department: 222 Castle Ave, Upland PA 19016

For more information on the Take-Back day or to find a site near you, please visit www.dea.gov.

Holcomb Prevention and Education Services provides education, trainings, consultations, public awareness campaigns, prevention initiatives, student assessments and referrals as part of a planned strategy to prevent or reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. If you are concerned about a loved ones misuse of prescription medication or other substance abuse, please call us at 484-444-0412 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit our website at www.holcombprevention.org.