Penn State Health will provide an opportunity for people to drop off their unwanted, unneeded or expired medication for safe disposal this Saturday, Oct. 26. The health system will host Prescription Drug Take Back events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
- Academic Support Building, 90 Hope Dr., Hershey
- Penn State Medical Group — Nyes Road
- Penn State Health Medical Group — Palmyra
In addition to medication, needles and syringes will be accepted. No items will be accepted prior to 10 a.m. Twenty-four-hour drop-off boxes are also available at police stations.
The events are being held in partnership with the Derry Township, Lower Paxton Township and North Londonderry Township police departments. Similar events are taking place across the U.S. on Saturday, designated National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Holding onto expired medications can lead to a range of problems. For example, such medications can become ineffective as the chemical composition of drugs may change over time, making them less potent or possibly even harmful. Getting rid of the drugs eliminates the temptation to self-medicate using someone else’s prescriptions. Also, children who find the medications could accidentally harm themselves.