South Whitehall Police to 'Take Back' Prescription Drugs

The fourth “Take Back” Day to collect expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs will be held across Lehigh County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.

You can safely dispose of old medicines by taking them to the South Whitehall Police Department, 4444 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall.

Police officers will accept controlled, non-controlled and over-the-counter medications -- no questions asked -- as part of the “Take Back” program, which is nationwide. 

The first National Take Back Day was held in 2010. During the first three collection events in 2010 and 2011, a total of 1,446 pounds of drugs were collected in Lehigh County, according to information provided by the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. Nationwide last fall, the public turned in more than 188.5 tons of medications at 5,327 sites.

Remember:

* All medications, including pet medications, liquid products and creams in containers, will be accepted.

* Syringes will not be accepted because of the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

* Illegal substances, such as marijuana and methamphetamine, are not part of the program and should not be placed in collection boxes.

In South Whitehall, those disposing of old medicine will remove pills or capsules from their containers and place them directly into a disposal box. Participants will take the containers with them after dropping pills in the box. The medications will not be logged or counted, and police will not handle the medications at any time, South Whitehall police said.

Calling it a public safety matter, the Drug Enforcement Administration says unused or expired medicines can lead to accidental poisoning, overdoses and abuse.

Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin said past collections helped to reduce the risks and increased awareness of the dangers.

"People recognize that medicines  can have significant therapeutic effects when taken properly but can be detrimental when misused," he said in a prepared release.

Here is a complete list of “Take Back” locations in Lehigh County:

• Alburtis Police Department, 260 Franklin St., Alburtis;
• Catasauqua Police Department, 118 Bridge St., Catasauqua;
• Emmaus Police Department, 400 Jubilee St., Emmaus;
• Episcopal House, 1440 Walnut St., Allentown;
• Fountain Hill Police Department, 941 Long St., Fountain Hill;
• Giant supermarket, 3015 W. Emmaus Ave., Allentown;
• Giant supermarket, 216 E. Fairmount St., Route 9, Coopersburg.
• Lower Milford Township Police Department, 7607 Chestnut Hill Road, Coopersburg;
• Macungie Police Department, 21 Locust St., Macungie;
• Salisbury Township Police Department, 3000 South Pike Ave., Salisbury Township;
• Slatington Police Department, 125 S. Walnut St., Slatington;
• South Whitehall Township Police Department, 4444 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall Township;
• Target, entrance at 912 Airport Center Road, Airport Shopping Plaza, Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
• Upper Macungie Municipal Building, 8330 Schantz Road, Upper Macungie;
• Upper Saucon Township Police Department, 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Center Valley;
• Westgate Mall, main entrance, 2285 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.
• Whitehall Township Police Department, 3731 Lehigh St., Whitehall.