Delco Debuts Drug-Collecting Van In Opioid Epidemic Fight

MEDIA, PA – Official in Delaware County have a new tool in their fight against the opioid epidemic as a new drug collection vehicle debuted today in Media.

Co-chairs of the Delaware County Heroin Task Force District Attorney Jack Whelan and Councilman Dave White were joined by members of the Heroin Task Force to unveil the new Delco Drug Collection Van and mobile drug drop boxes which are part of the Heroin Task Force Mobile Drug Collection Unit that is going out in the community to help safely remove dangerous drugs from homes, the county said.

As part of the Delaware County Heroin Task Force’s mission to prevent the abuse of prescription drugs the county mobile drug collection unit will be at various upcoming community events, including a drug collection at the Springfield and Marple’s National Night Out on Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at various summer concert series at Rose Tree Park, including next week’s Audra McLaughlin performance on June 29.

The CDC estimates that 89 people die every day from an opioid-related overdose in the U.S.

Delaware County has had 101 drug-related deaths, with 91 of those deaths being opioid-related, in 2017 so far, according to the county.

"Since forming the Heroin Task Force in September 2012, we’ve learned about the drugs that lead to heroin use, particularly opioid pain relievers," White said. "This new mobile collection provides another way to get unwanted medications out of our homes we can reduce the number of pills that may get into the wrong hands and prevent addiction."

In addition to the mobile boxes, the county has 40 secure, permanent Medicine Drop Boxes at nearly all of the police departments and the Government Center in Media.

Since 2013, more than 15,560 pounds of prescription drugs have been collected through the program which provides a convenient and environmentally responsible prescription drug disposal option for the residents.

“Prescription drugs are often the target of theft and misuse. We know that young people are becoming addicted to opioids by first taking a prescription drug which they get from medicine cabinets of their parents, their grandparents and friends,” Whelan said. “One way to prevent addiction is to offer convenient, secure and environmentally safe drug disposal programs to decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in the home.”

County officials are working the health-systems to install drug drop boxes at area hospitals. Drug drop boxes are currently located at Crozer-Keystone Medical Center and Riddle Hospital.

Officials are also working with providers to expand access to addiction treatment. Earlier this year, Delaware County worked with Crozer to launch First Steps Treatment Center. Supported by more than $940,000 in funding from Delaware County Council, Crozer opened First Steps Treatment Center, a 52-bed center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, dedicated to comprehensively addressing the detoxification and rehabilitation needs of residents in Delaware County and the region.

In 2016, County Council launched the Delaware County Certified Recovery Specialist Program, which connects residents who have overdosed to treatment and resources. Three Recovery Specialists, managed by Crozer-Keystone are available to assist residents around the clock. Residents can reach a Certified Recovery Specialist by calling (610)497-7278.

In addition to focusing on recovery and prevention, county officials are also emphasizing the importance of education and raising awareness among youth about the dangerous of prescription drugs. By making the mobile drug drop boxes available at community events, people now have another way to safely and anonymously dispose of drugs. Organizations, businesses and municipal leaders in Delaware County can call the Delaware County Heroin Task Force to schedule this van free of charge by calling the District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at (610) 891-7869.

Visit the Heroin Task Force website for more information and a list of drug drop locations.

Pictured above form left to right are Ray McKinney; Delaware County Senior Medical Advisor Dr. George Avetian; Criminal Investigation Division Chief Joe Ryan; Delaware County Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper; District Attorney Jack Whelan; Councilman Mike Culp; Councilman Dave White; and Delaware County Executive Director Marianne Grace.

Image via Delaware County