Lehigh County residents disposed of 616.5 pounds of expired and unused over-the-counter and prescription medications during the 15th National Take Back Day April 28. The total of drugs collected during all Take Back Day events since 2010 is 12,443 pounds.

In addition to the drugs discarded during the Take Back Days, 18,520 pounds of medications have been collected from 15 permanent medication collection boxes that are located in 12 police departments and three Lehigh Valley Hospital sites. The boxes were first installed in Lehigh County police departments in 2013, and other locations were added later.

“National Take Back Days and the collection boxes are effective tools in combatting prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse and related crimes and issues,” said Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin. “I am very pleased to see county citizens taking advantage of these initiatives to remove unwanted medications from their homes.”

Martin thanked the Allentown Health Bureau and the members of law enforcement for their efforts in making National Take Back Day a success in Lehigh County. He also thanked St. Luke’s which had collection sites at both its Fountain Hill and Allentown campuses.

“This cooperation between various agencies and organizations is a key component in the battle against drug abuse,” Martin said