Another option for individuals that
cannot make it to a collection unit
or take back event is to dispose of
medications safely at home. To do
this, one can mix their medications
with commercially available products
such as DisposeRX or Deterra (ask
local pharmacies for availability), or
by mixing the medication with an
undesirable substance such as coffee
grounds or kitty litter, prior to placing
the medications in the garbage. More
information on this method can
be found at: https://www.fda.gov/
ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/
ucm101653.htm
Offering MRUs as an alternative
for disposal has proven to be a very
successful public health initiative
in Erie County. Encouraging the
community to continue to dispose of
unused medications from the home,
either at local MRUs or DEA Drug Take-
Back Days, can continue to impact
prescription drug abuse.
For additional and updated
information on medication disposal,
visit the DEA website at http://
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_
disposal/.
Current law enforcement and
pharmacy locations in Northwest PA
with Medication Return Units:
• Albion Police Department (26
Smock Ave, Albion, PA 16401)
• Erie County Courthouse (140 West
6th St, Erie, PA 16501)
• Girard Borough Police Department
(34 Main St West, Girard, PA 16417)
• Corry City Police Department (20
East South St, Corry, PA 16407)
• Edinboro Borough Police Department (124 Meadville St,
Edinboro, PA 16412)
• Edinboro University (911 Scotland Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412)
• Lake City Police Department (2352 Main St, Lake City, PA
16423)
• Lawrence Park Township Police Department (4230 Iroquois
Ave, Erie, PA 16511)
• North East Police Department (58 East Main St, North East, PA
16428)
• Wesleyville Police Department (3421 Buffalo Rd, Erie, PA 16510)
• Mercyhurst University Main Campus Police (501 East 38th St,
Erie, PA 16546)
• Mercyhurst University North East Campus Police (16 West
Division St, North East, PA 16428)
• Lawrence Park State Police (4320 Iroquois Ave, Erie, PA 16511)
• Frontier Pharmacy (1216 West 6th St, Erie, PA 16507)
References:
1. Hughes A, Williams MR, Lipari RN, Bose J. Prescription Drug Use and Misuse
in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health. SAMHSA. 2016. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/
NSDUH-FFR2-2015/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm.
2. Volkow ND. America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug
Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. May 14, 2014. https://www.
drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/
americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse.
3. Katz J. Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever. The New York
Times. June 5, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/05/
upshot/opioid-epidemic-drug-overdose-deaths-are-rising-faster-than-ever.
html?mcubz=0.
4. Prescription Drug Take-Back Box Program. Pennsylvania Department of Drug
and Alcohol Program website. http://www.ddap.pa.gov/Prevention/Pages/
Drug_Take_Back.aspx. Accessed September 11, 2017.
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