Nearly 4,000 Pounds of Prescription Drugs Collected In Chester County: DA

WEST CHESTER, PA -- Near 4,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected in 2015 through the Chester County drug drop box program, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced.

The program places secure drop boxes in police stations around Chester County so that citizens can safely dispose of prescription medications.

“The Chester County drug drop box program has been a tremendous success. We have safely taken almost two tons of prescription drugs out of circulation,” Hogan said in a press release. “Those are drugs that will never cause a child to overdose or become addicted to opiates. Those are drugs that will never get into our ground water and drinking water. Chester County is proud of this program.”

A total of 3,747 pounds were collected in 2015.

“Until this initiative was launched, many people didn’t know how to properly dispose of excess pain medications or that it was important to do so. I am glad the word is getting out and residents are responding. It is important that unused prescription painkillers not be stored in the home,” said Representative Becky Corbin, a key early supporter of the program.

The drug drop box program originally was started through a grant from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. More boxes were added later through funding from Pennsylvania American Water. The drug drop boxes work as follows.

Citizens can drop off prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications in the drug drop boxes.

The boxes are secure boxes located in police stations or other safe areas. The drop-offs are anonymous. The medication periodically is picked up by members of the Chester County Detectives and disposed of safely.

“West Goshen Police Department commends the Chester County District Attorney’s Office for the drug drop box program,” said ” West Goshen Police Chief Joe Gleason. “This program provides an invaluable tool for anyone to contribute to the betterment of society by removing the availability of prescription drugs being put into the wrong hands. The residents of West Goshen Township continue to utilize this program daily which indicates the enormous benefit it provides.”

According to current statistics, approximately 70% of the United States population will take some type of prescription medication every year.

The three most prescribed drugs in the United States are (in order): (1) antibiotics; (2) antidepressants; and (3) opiates, such as oxycodone. In the Southeastern Pennsylvania region, the largest drug threat currently comes from prescription drugs and heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This is the first time in the history of the region that prescription drugs have emerged as the largest threat.

Nationwide, more people are dying from prescription drug overdoses than from overdoses of any and all illegal drugs (including heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines). In Chester County for 2015, there were 57 overdose deaths.

Out of these deaths, prescription drugs were involved in 42 deaths. The most abused prescription drugs in the United States today are opioids, such as oxycodone.

A few simple statistics show the explosive growth of this class of drugs. In 1998, 11.5 tons of oxycodone were produced world-wide.

By 2010, 122.5 tons of oxycodone were produced. Over 80% of the oxycodone produced is consumed in the United States.

“The success of the program is huge and the impact on our communities is significant,” said Vince Brown, the Executive Director of Chester County’s Drug & Alcohol Services. “There is a direct link between the availability of prescription medication and the heroin epidemic and overdose deaths we’re facing nationally, in Pennsylvania and right here in Chester County. What experts know is that individuals with heroin addictions today are younger and more frequently getting hooked on drugs ‘not on the street,’ but ‘in the medicine cabinet.”

“ Raising awareness and getting the medications out of the house and disposed of properly means a safer environment for our children, families, and communities.” District Attorney Hogan added, “When we started this program, we expected to see a large amount of prescription drugs turned in at first, but then for the amounts to decrease. Instead, we have seen a steady supply of prescription drugs being collected every month, demonstrating the prevalence of prescription drugs in our society, particularly opioids. This program is part of Chester County’s multidisciplinary approach to fighting the problems caused by drug abuse.”