Office of Attorney General staff will be at the race weekend, June 20-22, collecting unused, expired prescription medications
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that his office is again partnering with Pocono Raceway for its annual Drug Take Back event during NASCAR race weekend at the track from June 20 to 22 for “The Great American Getaway 400.”
Attendees on any of the three event days can bring unused and outdated prescription medications to the track and safely dispose of them at the Office of Attorney General’s station outside the main entrance at the raceway, under the flag pole.
Those who drop off prescription drugs will be given a voucher to return to the Pocono Raceway on Tuesday, July 8, to drive their own vehicle around “The Tricky Triangle.”
“The opioid epidemic continues to plague communities across Pennsylvania, and I have made prevention, deterrence, and treatment as top priorities for my office,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This take back event is the perfect opportunity to dispose of potentially dangerous medication in a safe way that keeps the drugs out of the wrong hands. I am thankful for the continued partnership with the Pocono Raceway on this proactive measure that can save lives.”
Since 2017, the Office of Attorney General’s statewide Drug Take Back program has collected and destroyed nearly 400 tons of prescription drugs.
“Pocono Raceway is a proud partner of the Office of Attorney General and remains focused on doing our small part to help our guests dispose of unused and expired prescription medications in a safe manner,” Ben May, Pocono Raceway President, said. “We encourage everyone visiting Pocono Raceway between June 20-22nd to visit the Office of Attorney General’s booth – next to our large American flag behind the grandstands – to safely dispose of your medications.”
Representatives from the Office of Attorney General will also host a table on Saturday, June 21, at Kids’ Day, where activities and swag will be available to youth and their families.
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.
# # #