Phoenixville To Participate In Prescription Drug Take Back Day To Battle Overdosing, Abuse

The Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services will hold a Prescription Drug Take Back Day in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's nationwide event on October 22.

The Take Back Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations throughout the county.

Ridding homes of expired, unwanted, or unused drugs in a safe and environmentally friendly manner is crucial to combating the growing opioid epidemic.

Expired medications hanging around the house are often the way that addictions start for young adults.

And flushing medications down the toilet can have serious consequences for the water supply, authorities said.

Last year, there were 63 drug overdose deaths in Chester County, and 56 of those were due to fentanyl, heroin, or other prescription opioids, officials said.

And in nearby Montgomery County, overdoses are up 138 percent in over the past year, according to official estimates. They are similarly on the rise around the state and parts of the nation. In August, Governor Wolf's office launched a patient prescription database to help fight the epidemic.

Locally, the Phoenixville Police Department will serve as a collection site at borough hall on 351 Bridge Street.

Patch file photo.