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Local communities participate in National Drug Take-Back Day

Police stations and community groups are once again asking the public to turn in expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back-Day is Saturday. The one-day event will provide residents with no-cost, anonymous collection.

Officials say medicine that languishes in homes is highly vulnerable to diversion and misuse, and they're urging people to drop the drugs off at police stations. Hundreds of drop-off locations will be available throughout western Pennsylvania, including 40 sites in Allegheny County.

The Allegheny County Police Department will participate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The department will collect unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs and other medications at two locations: at the North Park County Police Station, 700 West Ridge Drive in McCandless Township, and the South Park County Police Station located on Buffalo Drive between Corrigan Drive and Farmshow Drive in South Park Township.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council and its partners will also provide several local venues to safely dispose of unwanted medication. Locations include:

  • Green Tree - Green Tree Borough Building, 10 W. Manilla Ave., Pittsburgh, 15220
  • Mt. Lebanon - Medical Rescue Team South, 315 Cypress Way, Pittsburgh, 15228
  • Robinson Township - Mall At Robinson, Sears Parking Lot, 100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh 15205

Since launching the nationwide Drug Take-Back Day effort in 2010, the DEA and its partners have collected more than 6.4 million pounds -- about 3,200 tons ---of medication.

According to the DEA, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

No liquid medications or needles will be accepted.

For more information concerning the three local collection events sponsored by the Pennsylvania Resources Council, visit www.prc.org or call 412-488-7452.

People can locate additional collection sites by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking the "Got Drugs?" graphic, and entering their ZIP code or county, city and state. Collection sites can also be identified by calling 800-882-9539.