Politics & Government

Got Drugs? Turn Them in 'No Questions Asked' on April 30

Citing sobering statistics, Delaware County officials announce plans for second annual "take back" event to help residents clear out their medicine cabinets.

Armed with sobering statistics about prescription drug abuse in top government and law enforcement officials  have announced plans for a prescription and expired medication "take back" day on April 30.

County Council Chairman John Whelan, Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green, Delaware County Medical Examiner Frederic Hellman and County Senior Medical Advisor Dr. George Avetian detailed plans for the second annual drive at a press conference Tuesday at the County Courthouse.

Whelan said the initiative tackles, "a vital public safety and public health issue. Many people are not aware that medicines that sit in home cabinets are at a high risk for misuse and abuse."

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Whelan said last year the Centers for Disease Control reported a surge in the number of emergency room visits related to prescription drugs.

"At the top of that list was Oxycontin. One in five American high school students had used drugs that were not prescribed for them," he said.

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Whelan said that the take back event is in response to the growing problem.

"One way people are getting addicted to drugs is by raiding the medicine cabinets of their families and friends," he said.

The county collected 277.4 lbs. of unused and expired prescriptions and medications in September 2010. Nationally 121 tons of household medications were collected and destroyed.

The April 30 events is free, anonymous and a way to safely dispose of household drugs with "no questions asked." Unused, unwanted, and expired medications will be collected from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 17 Delaware County sites.

Participating "Take Back" sites in Delaware County on April 30 include:

  • Brookhaven Municipal Center: 2 Cambridge Rd., Suite 200, Brookhaven, PA 19015
  • Nether Providence Police Station: 214 Sykes Lane, Wallingford, PA 19086
  • Giant Food Store: 2910 Springfield Rd., Broomall, PA 19008
  • Chester Police Department: 160 E. 7th St., Chester, PA 19013
  • Glenolden Police Department: 38 Boon Ave., Glenolden, PA 19036
  • : 301 N Jackson St., Media, PA 19063
  • Chester Township Police Department: 1840 Harris St., Chester, PA 19013
  • Springfield Township Building: 50 Powell Road, Springfield, PA 19064
  • Ridley Park Borough Police Department: 230 West Chester Place, Ridley Park, PA 19075
  • Sharon Hill Borough Hall: 250 Sharon Ave., Sharon Hill, PA 19079
  • Clifton Heights Fire Company: 20 W. Baltimore Ave., Clifton Heights, PA 19018
  • Upper Darby High School: 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA 19026
  • Tinicum Township Police Department: 629 North Governor Printz Blvd, Essington, PA 19029
  • Marcus Hook Community Center: 7 West Delaware Ave., Marcus Hook, PA 19061
  • Aldan Municipal Building: 1 West Providence Rd., Clifton Heights, PA 19018
  • Lighthouse Hall: 1401 E. 9th St., Crum Lynne, PA 19022
  • Lansdowne Borough Hall: 12 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050


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