Got Unwanted Prescription Drugs? Expired Pills? Dispose of Them Saturday During National Drug Take Back Event

One woman brought 11 pills to the Peters Township Police Department to be disposed of—a prescription she said cost her $1,200.

Another resident brought in a box of drugs—prescriptions written for a former cancer patient.

And Peters Township Police Chief Harry Fruecht encouraged anyone in the community with unwanted or expired medications—either prescription or over-the-counter—to do just what these folks did: Let the department dispose of them properly.

This Saturday the department will be participating in the National Drug Take Back Program, and invites residents to clean out their medicine cabinets.

"We will take it," the chief said. "Let us take care of it."

And he said that no only does participating in the take back program help curb potential abuse of drugs, but it also helps eliminate environmental concerns associated with pitching medications.

Throwing the drugs in the trash means they will end up in a landfill, while flushing them down the toilet could mean those medications end up in the local water source, he said.

"Some of those things don't get filtered out," Fruecht said.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone lauded the effort made by Peters and other departments participating in the program.

“It is exciting to see this event growing. I am truly pleased with the support that our local law enforcement has given this event since Chief Fruecht organized the first event," Vittone said. "I commend our local police for recognizing the need for this vital public service and for staffing these locations in Washington County to safely dispose of medication that is no longer needed."

Those interested in participating in the no-questions-asked take back program on Saturday should drop off items at the following locations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. An armed police officer will be at each location.

• McMurray Dairy Bar
• Kmart
• Firehouse Subs
• Walgreens

To make this program as convenient as possible for residents, items (prescription pills and liquids, as well as over the counter medications—just no EpiPens) may be dropped in the drop box located in the lobby of the Peters Township Police Department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.