Background | Take Back Adams County | Next Collection Date | Adams County Collection Sites  | Local Take Back Sponsors | Local Take Back Supporters | Safe Disposal Protects Environment | Contact Information 

Seventy percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers get them from friends or relatives (SAMSHA, 2008).

Background

Misuse of prescription drugs is responsible for more overdose deaths than "street drugs" such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines (Center for Disease Control, 2006).  Prescription medications supersede marijuana as the drug of choice currently among 12-13 year old youth (SAMSHA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008) and 25% of drug-related emergency room cases relate to prescription drug abuse (DEA, 2010).  Prescription medications abused most frequently include pain killers, stimulants, and tranquilizers.  Prescription drug abuse has risen rapidly in the United States because of availability and because people assume doctor-prescribed medications are safe.  Those who share their prescription medications may be unaware of the potential for addiction and other health hazards.  

In response to the growing misuse of medications, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched a National 'Take Back' Initiative to decrease the abuse of prescription drugs by decreasing their availability.   In conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, DEA conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, September 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011.  Nearly, 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills. 

Take Back Adams County

The Adams County TAKE BACK is part of the national effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  In September, 2010, local and state police partnered with Collaborating For Youth (CFY), local government and environmental agencies, and various health organizations to sponsor Adams County's first-ever prescription drug TAKE BACK at several locations throughout Adams County.  These same partners participated in the TAKE BACK held throughout adams County this past April and the collection was expanded to include over-the-counter medications.  

When is the Next Collection Date?

On October 29, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., law enforcement will once again partner with CFY, local government and environmental agencies, pharmacies, and various health agencies to conduct the county's third medication disposal in conjunction with DEA's national initiative.  This prescription drug TAKE BACK provides an opportunity for Adams County residents and doctor offices to dispose of unused or expired medications safely.  The collection is free and no questions are asked. 

Adams County TAKE BACK Collection Sites

• Biglerville: Biglerville Hose & Truck Co. #1, 111 S Main St. Biglerville – hosted by Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H

• Gettysburg: Gettysburg Fire Company, 37 Stratton Street, Gettysburg – hosted by Cumberland Township and Gettysburg Borough Police Departments

• Fairfield: Fairfield Fire Department, 108 Steelman Street, Fairfield – hosted by Carroll Valley, Liberty Township and Hamiltonban Township Police Departments

• Littlestown: Alpha Fire Co. #1, 40 East King Street, Littlestown – hosted by Littlestown Borough Police Department

• New Oxford: United Hook & Ladder #33, 21 North Bolton Street, New Oxford – hosted by Eastern Adams Regional Police Department

• York Springs: Bermudian Springs School District, 7335 Carlisle Pike, York Springs – hosted by Latimore Township, East Berlin Borough, and Reading Township Police Departments

Adams County TAKE BACK Sponsors 

• Pennsylvania Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration
• Law Enforcement
  • Pennsylvania State Police
  • Carroll Valley Police
  • Cumberland Township Police
  • East Berlin Borough Police
  • Eastern Adams Regional Police
  • Gettysburg Borough Police
  • Hamiltonban Township Police
  • Latimore Township Police
  • Liberty Township Police
  • Littlestown Borough Police
  • Reading Township Police
• Site Locations
  • Alpha Fire Company #1
  • Bermudian Springs School District
  • Biglerville High School
  • Fairfield Fire Department
  • Gettysburg Fire Department
  • United Hook and Ladder #33
• Adams County Builders Association 
• Adams County Department of Environmental Services
• Gettysburg Hospital/Wellspan Health
• Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership

Adams County TAKE BACK Supporters

• Adams County Office For Aging, Inc.
• Health, Healthy Adams County
• Local Pharmacies
• Watershed Alliance of Adams County

Safe Disposal of Medications Protects the Environment

Safe disposal of prescription drugs also reduces the damage to groundwater and the environment that results from improper disposal. The Adams County Office of Environmental Services and the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership stress that flushing medicines down a toilet or sink contaminates water resources and can have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic species. Septic systems and public wastewater facilities are not designed to treat these products and eventually they can impact wells and community drinking water supplies. When not disposed of properly, unused and expired medications can cause poisoning in small children and pets through accidental ingestion. 

Contact Information

For more information about this project, contact Emily Knowles-Kellett at (717) 338-0300 x 26 or by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  For online drug prevention resources and information are available at www.drugfree.org. For prescription drug TAKE BACK sites across the country or for information about the national initiative, visit www.dea.gov.