LONG POND, Pa.—Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that her office is again partnering with Pocono Raceway for its annual Drug Take Back event during a NASCAR race weekend at the track from July 21-23.
Attendees on all three days can bring unneeded and outdated prescription medications to the track and safely dispose of them at the OAG’s take back location outside of the main entrance at the raceway.
“My office has shown a steadfast commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic from all angles, and the most effective tactic for avoiding addiction and overdose is prevention,” Attorney General Henry said. “We know most heroin and fentanyl addictions start with prescription pills, and those medications are too often easily accessible in homes. Please join us in making sure your medications are safely disposed of when no longer needed.
“We thank and commend our friends at Pocono Raceway for partnering on this proactive measure that will save lives,” continued AG Henry. “The purpose of the partnership is to offer people a safe and easy way to dispose of their expired and unwanted prescriptions. It is a way for everyone to do their part in fighting the opioid epidemic that continues to take Pennsylvanians’ lives every day.”
Attendees can bring expired and unused medications to the take back location under the flagpole near the main entrance throughout the weekend. Those who drop off prescription drugs will be given a voucher for prize drawings that will include driver-autographed items and other prizes.
About 450 pounds of medications have been collected at the track since the Office of Attorney General’s first partner event with Pocono Raceway in 2018.
“Pocono Raceway is proud to continue its partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General on this important community initiative. It really resonates with our fans, and we know they appreciate the opportunity to discard their unused prescription drugs safely and responsibly. We applaud Attorney General Henry’s commitment and leadership, and encourage all our fans to take advantage of this opportunity. Come out to the race with your friends and family and do the right thing with your unused prescription drugs to help keep those same friends and family safe,” said Ben May, President, Pocono Raceway.
Since 2017, the OAG’s statewide Drug Take Back program has collected and destroyed nearly 300 tons of prescription drugs.
In 2022, the Office of Attorney General released a special report on fentanyl becoming the dominant opioid in Pennsylvania that is increasingly found in counterfeit pills. The report notes that just one fentanyl-laced counterfeit pill is enough to cause an overdose.
Pocono Raceway Drug Take Back Weekend is the only large-scale drug take back program of its kind in Pennsylvania. It hopes to provide an example for other large venues and sports teams and show how important it is to take part in these initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic and keep the Commonwealth safe.
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