Montco Expands Drug Disposal Program

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, along with a number of police chiefs within the county, relayed on Monday, Dec. 16 in a media release that the Montgomery County Prescription Drug Disposal Program, which began earlier this year, has been expanded due to the magnitude of the public’s response and participation.

The program began in April of this year, with 10 sites where members of the public can confidentially dispose of expired, unneeded or unused medicines without having to pay a fee. Over 2,500 pounds of medications have been relinquished by this date.

The three police chiefs who announced the expansion with Ferman are chiefs of municipalities that recently began to participate in the program. Douglass Township’s police chief Barry Templin, Jr., Lower Pottsgrove Township police chief Michael Foltz and Lower Moreland Township police chief Peter C. Hasson have seen their own sites open recently.    

Eight additional locations are thought to open soon.

According to Ferman, local law enforcement have found an increase in prescription drug abuse, especially among youth, in the area. Drug addiction can begin when minors take narcotics from their parents’ medicine cabinets.

“Unfortunately, it is well documented that prescription drug abuse can quickly lead to addiction, other criminal activity and even death,” said Ferman, in the media release.

Here is a list of prescription drug disposal sites in the county, found here at:

http://www.montcopa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1618

1. Montgomery County Courthouse (Main)

Airy and Swede Streets, Norristown, PA (at both public entrances between 8:30 am and 4:15 pm, Mon through Fri)

2. Abington Police Department

1166 Old York Road, Abington, PA (24/7)

3. Douglass Township Police Department

1320 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA (8:00a-4:00p, Mon. through Fri.)

4. Franconia Police Department

671 Allentown Road, Franconia, PA (24/7)

5. Hatfield Police Department

2000 School Road, Hatfield, PA (24 hrs/day, Mon. through Fri.)

6. Limerick Police Department

646 West Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA (8:00a – 4:00p, Mon. through Fri.)

7. Lower Merion Police Department

71 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA (24/7)

8. Lower Moreland Police Department

640 Red Lion Rd., Huntington Valley, PA (7:00a-10:30p, Mon. through Fri.)

8. Lower Moreland Police Department

640 Red Lion Rd., Huntington Valley, PA (7:00a-10:30p, Mon. through Fri.)

9. Lower Pottsgrove Police Department

2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown, PA (8:00a-4:00p, Mon. through Fri.)

10. Pottstown Police Department

100 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA (24/7)

11. Souderton Police Department

31 W. Summit Street, Souderton, PA (24/7)

12. Upper Merion Police Department

175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia, PA (24/7)