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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Attendees on all three days can bring unneeded and outdated prescription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.
