Drug Take-Back Day Collects 8,778 Pounds Of Unused Medication In Bucks

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA —The results are in for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Bucks County.

Participating Bucks County police departments said the tally collected was 8,778.78 pounds of unused, unneeded or expired medications, the Middletown Township Police Department posted on its Facebook page.

Another 339.47 pounds of sharps were also collected.

"It was a big success," Middletown Township police said. "Bucks County continues to be a leader in the efforts to Take Back unused, unneeded or expired medications that all too often end up in the wrong hands."

This year's Take Back event, a cooperative venture between the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. (BCDAC, Inc.), law enforcement agencies and community coalitions, featured 46 public collection sites from Bristol to Springfield.

Miss Pennsylvania 2022, Alysa Bainbridge, helped promote the event and stopped by several collection sites, Middletown Township police said.

It is important to follow safe practices with all medications, including storing medications appropriately, taking medications only as prescribed, and locking up and monitoring medications.

According to data from the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, 50 percent of Bucks County students who have misused prescription medication report the most common way they got it is from a family member living in their home.

Middletown Township police said that anyone who missed the event could still get rid of their unused medication.

The Middletown Township administration building has a permanent drop box in the front lobby.

"You will need to visit during normal business hours, but there is no need to wait until the next big collection day. Get those items out of your homes and we will take care of the rest," police said.