Credit: Maxwell Reil/LevittownNow.com
Bucks County officials are pleased after close to 11,000 pounds of unused or unwanted medications were collected during Saturday’s drug take back day.
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Across the county, police and volunteers collected prescription medications, vaping products, over-the-counter, and pet medications for safe disposal. The goal was to divert medications before they end up in the wrong hands.
On Wednesday morning, Diane Rosati, executive director of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, announced the collection total and also said 880 pounds of sharps, which are items such as needles, were collected.
Rosati said Bucks County remained number one in the state in collections and doubled the amount gathered in neighboring Montgomery County.
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“It’s really hard to wrap my mind around it,” Rosati said of the collection amount.
The day also saw authorities at several locations hand out overdose-reversal medication naloxone.
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Officials are currently planning for the next collection event in October. The program is in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
For the October collection, Rosati said her office is working with local police, the sheriff’s office, and district attorney’s office. They want to focus on more homebound pickups for the event.
“Residents want to do the right thing and support folks who don’t want to use substances,” Rosati said.
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Since first taking part in the drug take back day in 2010, Bucks County has collected approximately 183,000 pounds of unused medications. Bucks County’s totals have been the highest in Pennsylvania.
To find a list of year-round medication collection box locations, click here.
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Publisher Tom Sofield and reporter Maxwell Reil contributed to this story.
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