State Police to Accept Expired, Unwanted Prescription Drugs

April 28 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania State Police will accept unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs on April 28 as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The service is free and anonymous; no questions are asked.

“The Drug Take-Back Program encourages consumers to get outdated or unused medications off of their shelves and out of the reach of children and teenagers,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said, noting that prescription drug abuse by teens is steadily increasing.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, unwanted or expired prescription medications may be dropped off at select State Police barracks. No personal information is required for drop-off.

To find a drop-off location, visit www.psp.state.pa.us and click on the “Public Services’’ link on the left navigation menu.

Noonan said the program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, also reduces the introduction of potentially harmful substances into the environment. As few disposal options exist, people tend flush medications down the toilet or toss them in the trash.

Flushing medications can contribute to water pollution and poses serious health risks to water supplies and fish habitat. Disposing of medications in trashcans causes groundwater contamination through leaching out of landfills, harming wildlife that may ingest these drugs. It also could allow unauthorized persons to have access to the medication.

During a national drug take-back day held last fall, more than 188.5 tons of unwanted or expired medications were turned in at federal, state and local law enforcement sites.