Prescription Drug Take-Back Day A Success In Moon Township

The second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held Saturday was a success in Moon Township, according to Police Chief Leo McCarthy.

Moon Township participated in the national event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

“We filled two large boxes – it was extremely successful,” said McCarthy. The boxes were approximately 3 feet deep by 18 inches wide.

“It was about as successful as we were last time,” he said, referring to the first Take-Back Day held in  September.

Local residents dropped off unused and old prescription drugs at the township – “no questions asked,” said McCarthy.

Moon Police collected numerous drugs and other items, which were delivered on Sunday to the DEA's Pittsburgh Office. Authorities planned to weigh the medication and destroy it.  

“All kinds of things were dropped off, including old syringes -- actually a few boxes of syringes,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy said the program helps keep unwanted and unused drugs out of the hands of children and others.

“Anything that prevents drugs from getting out there is a good thing,” he said. He explained that the easier it is for children to obtain any kind of drugs, the easier those drugs are to use.

“There are a whole lot of good things about this event,” the chief said. “It’s fun, it’s easy, and it keeps drugs out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.”

The program also helps build relationships between the DEA and local agencies, McCarthy said.

“More agencies participated this time, which just shows it is a good thing,” he said.  

The first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was such a success that the DEA moved up the date this year. According to the DEA website, more than 4,700 sites across the United States participated in Take-Back Day this year.