Got Drugs? Here’s How to Dispose of Them Safely

If you’ve got old, unused prescription drugs lying around your medicine cabinet, here’s your chance to dispose of them—safely.

As part of the Butler County Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Cranberry Police will host a drug drop off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the station at 2525 Rochester Road.

The collection will feature a drop off point that motorists may drive up to in the back parking lot the Cranberry Township Municipal Building.

In addition to keeping the medication out of the wrong hands, the drop off also gives area residents a way to rid themselves of the drugs without throwing them away or flushing them down the toilet, both of which are potential safety and health hazards.

Sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove most pharmaceuticals, and flushed drugs enter waterways and ultimately into drinking water.

Saturday's collection is part of the nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors to collect unwanted, unused or expired over-the-counter and prescription drugs. The DEA project aims to prevent pill abuse and theft.

During the last Drug Take-Back Day in April, 276 tons of medications were collected from 5,659 sites across the country, according to the DEA.

Since program began two years ago, more than 1.5 million pounds of drugs have been turned over nationally during four Take-Back days. Saturday's event will be the fifth Take-Back Day.  

All medicine collected Saturday will be turned over to the DEA for destruction. Police also ask participants to remove any personal information from medication bottles or packages before placing them in the disposal box.

There is no charge for the disposal service.