Nearly 385 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Collected on Mercer County's Take Back Day

Mercer County residents turned in nearly 385 pounds of unused or expired prescriptions drugs for disposal during Saturday’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced on Monday.

The prescriptions were turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and destroyed.

Drugs that were turned in included blood pressure and cholesterol pills to dangerous opiate painkillers (OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet, etc.).

“By properly disposing of nearly 385 pounds of unused prescription drugs from our medicine chests, we help to prevent theft, misuse, and abuse,” Kemler said. “We also reduce the likelihood of tragedy and accidental poisoning of young children in our homes.”

Mercer County Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs.

The program held each spring and fall, is conducted by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office with the help of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).