Category: News || By Submitted Report

Allegheny County Police will collect unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs and other medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, at the county police station located at 1801 Buffalo Drive, South Park Twp.

The effort is part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. All medications collected will be disposed of safely and properly. No liquid medications or needles will be accepted.

During the last Drug Take-Back Day on September 29, 2012, more than 244 tons of unwanted and expired medications were collected at 5,263 sites across the nation. Since its inception in 2010, the effort has safely and properly disposed of nearly 1,018 tons of prescription drugs.

Allegheny County Police have participated in each National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Other Mon-Yough area police stations participating, according to the DEA, include Elizabeth Twp., Lincoln, Munhall, North Huntingdon Twp., North Versailles Twp. and Pleasant Hills.

Clairton will have two locations --- at Livingston's Pharmacy, 550 Miller Ave. and Rite-Aid at 623 St. Clair Ave. East Pittsburgh police also will be participating with a drop-off point located at Lanigan Funeral Home, 700 Linden Ave.

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This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health issues, a county police spokeswoman said. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, 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, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards.

For additional information, call the county police station at (412) 835-5650 or visit the DEA's Drug Disposal Website.