Sep 25, 2014 2 min read

Unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be disposed of Saturday at several locations throughout Washington and Greene counties as part of the ninth Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

But this is apparently the last time the federal Drug Enforcement Administration will sponsor the program that it started in 2010 to prevent abuse and theft of medication by providing an option for disposing of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Peters Township police Chief Harry Fruecht said more than 541 pounds of medication was collected in Washington County during the last take back day April 26. More than half of the weight was collected in Peters Township.

“This is a very well-received, well-used program,” he added. “For as successful as it is, hopefully someone will continue to back it.”

Mt. Pleasant Township police Chief Lou McQuillan learned of the program’s end when he went to pick up supplies for Saturday’s collection.

“I am sorry to see it go,” McQuillan said. “We still get a lot of medication. The residents appreciate it. Hopefully, a way can be found to keep it.”

McQuillan said it may be a topic of discussion at an upcoming Washington County Chiefs of Police Association meeting.

When the DEA started the take back program, there was no legal provision for patients to dispose of unwanted controlled substances except to turn them over to police since pharmacies and hospitals were banned from accepting the medication. But new regulations published earlier this month provide for authorized collectors to accept the drugs.

Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone said the collection boxes for unwanted medication will remain at almost two dozen police departments throughout the county. The boxes were provided through the state’s district attorney’s association.

For more information on the new regulations, go to www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.