Saving lives through Drug Take-Back and substance use education

June 1, 2026 - 20:37

On a windy April Saturday in Hershey, drivers line up to hand off bags and boxes of pills and needles to Penn State Health pharmacy staff members and a friendly police officer. For Rhonda Ford of nearby Palmyra, the event was a chance to clear out her late mother's medicine cabinet. She brought a mix of old prescriptions, including painkillers and heart medications, some dating back years. "It felt wrong just throwing them in the trash," Ford said. "This way, I know they won't end up in the wrong hands."

The event, part of a national drug take-back initiative, collected hundreds of pounds of unused or expired medications. Organizers emphasized that proper disposal prevents accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental harm from flushing drugs down drains. Alongside the collection, volunteers provided educational materials on recognizing signs of substance use disorder and available local resources. Many participants, like Ford, appreciated the dual focus on safe disposal and awareness.

Substance use education, experts note, is just as critical as removing old pills from homes. By combining take-back events with conversations about prevention, communities aim to reduce overdose deaths and support recovery. For Ford, the experience was eye-opening. "I never thought about how keeping those bottles around could be dangerous," she said. "I'm glad I came." The event's success highlights a growing recognition that simple actions, when done together, can save lives.