‘Take Back Day’ to Offer Disposal of Old Prescription Pills
2 min readNews Release from District Attorney Andy Watson
The District Attorney, Andy J. Watson, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, is pleased to announce that on April 30, 2011 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. we will be participating in National Take Back Day. This event will occur at the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks located on Route 6 at the top of Denton Hill. The purpose of this event is to invite the citizens of Potter County, and those individuals living in McKean, Tioga and Cameron counties near the border, to bring old, unused prescription medication to the Barracks for legal and appropriate disposal. There is no cost for this service and is part of a national day to recognize the importance of keeping unused medication out of the hands of children, drug dealers, and to protect the environment.
This type of event has been long overdue in Potter County given the growing problem with the abuse and sale of prescription medications. Many medications that are recovered during arrests are narcotic medications which pose a significant health risk and possibility of overdose among teenagers. There has been a growing trend of teenagers and young adults abusing and selling prescription medication that they find in their parent’s, grandparents, or even friend’s medicine cabinets. Many people are faced with being unable to dispose of old, unused prescription medication, as trying to dispose of these items presents problems to the environment and, potentially, healthy drinking water.
By theses efforts, we are hoping that everyone who has old, unused prescription medication will participate in this event to further law enforcement efforts to take a tough stance on drug abuse and the sale of controlled substances. Anyone having questions, including how to dispose of these medications properly at your home if you cannot travel to the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks, may contact the District Attorney Andy J. Watson, at 814-274-9450 or Corporal Mike Murray at 814-274-8690.
