Collection Of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals Planned Oct. 29

Potter County has signed on to the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) collection of unwanted, expired, and unused drugs. It will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 am to 2 pm. Local collection sites include the state police barracks at Denton Hill and the Coudersport Borough Office. Following the supervised collection, the substances will be disposed of in a safe manner.

A growing number of pharmaceuticals and personal care products are ending up in the wrong hands, or in waterways across the country. Abuse and illegal marketing of painkillers, antidepressants and other prescription medications is the fastest growing drug problem in Pennsylvania, according to officials.

Some people have responded by emptying their medicine cabinets and flushing pills down the toilet or otherwise releasing them into the environment. There is a growing concern about how these drugs and other substances may be affecting people in their drinking water and impacting the environment.

During a similar collection in April, there were 56 pounds of pharmaceuticals collected in Potter County.