More than 16 tons of prescription medication were collected in Pennsylvania last month during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

At 251 collection sites in the state, 32,848 pounds of unwanted, unused or expired medication was dropped off, according to agency statistics released Monday from the April 30 event.

Nationwide, more than 720,000 pounds of medication was collected at 5,144 sites.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important part of DEA’s efforts to fight the overdose epidemic and save lives,” said Administrator Anne Milgram.

Since starting the event in 2010, nearly 16 million pounds of prescription medications have been collected. The day is held twice per year. The next will take place Oct. 29.

A record-setting nearly 1 million pounds of prescription medication was collected nationwide in October 2020.

There are numerous sites, including hospitals and pharmacies, around the area that serve as drop-off points for unwanted prescription medication year-round. To find one near you, use the search tool here.

The purpose of the event is to prevent prescription medication from ending up in the wrong hands. An addiction to prescription painkillers can potentially lead to abuse of other opioids, including heroin and fentanyl. Drug overdose deaths have been on the rise locally and nationally.

In Westmoreland County, drug overdose deaths reached their highest point in 2021 since 2017, according to coroner statistics. There were 168 accidental drug overdose deaths last year, the third highest total for the county and a 37% increase from 2020 when 123 people died.

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