WEST PITTSTON — Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Tuesday announced that the Office of Attorney General’s Drug Take Back Program recently surpassed 100 tons of prescription drugs destroyed since Attorney General Shapiro took office in 2017.

The Drug Take Back Program encourages members of the community to do their part in preventing prescription drug abuse by safely disposing of unnecessary prescription medicines in their homes. By partnering with local law enforcement, district attorneys, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the National Guard, collection boxes are set up across the Commonwealth for residents to dispose of unnecessary or expired prescription medications from their homes.

All told, since Attorney General Shapiro took office in January 2017, the Drug Take Back Program has destroyed 208,420 pounds—or 104.21 tons—of prescription drugs. In 2017, more than 43 tons of prescriptions were destroyed, which was a 65% increase from 2016. In the first few months of 2019 alone, more than 13 tons have been destroyed.

“Prescription drug abuse is the jet fuel of the heroin and opioid crisis,” said Shapiro. “Four out of every five heroin users started by abusing a prescription drug, and 70% of prescription drug abusers got them from a friend or relative’s medicine cabinet. This is why community based prevention efforts such as the Drug Take Back Program are critical in combating this crisis. I’m grateful to local law enforcement, the National Guard, and the people of Pennsylvania for stepping up and doing their part to prevent substance abuse, strengthen communities, and save lives.”