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1. What medications or drugs are accepted?

Accepted
The following items are accepted at the Medication Take-Back events:

• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medications
• Epi-pens (needle must be closed)
• Liquid form

NOT Accepted
The following items are NOT accepted at the Medication Take-Back events:

• Radioactive
• Sharp needles like syringes.
• Illegal substances

2. Is the event Free?

The Medication Take-Back events are FREE!

There is no need to purchase a bag for this event. 

If you will need to dispose of drugs safely and cannot make it to an event, we offer small plastic bags with return postage paid for $4.20. 

3. Am I required to purchase a drug bag?

There is no need to purchase a bag for this event. 

If you will need to dispose of drugs safely and cannot make it to an event, we offer small plastic bags with return postage paid for $4.20. 

4. Do we need to remove labels from bottles?

We do not require labels to be removed. The drugs collected (and their bottles) are incinerated which removes any ability to trace any medication back to an individual.

5. Are liquid medications allowed?

Yes! We do accept liquid prescriptions at the Medication Take-Back events.

6. Do you accept vitamins?

Yes, we do accept unwanted vitamins at the Medication Take-Back events.

7. Do you accept pet medications?

Yes! We do accept pet medications at the Medication Take-Back event.

8. Do you accept 'sharps'?

No, we cannot accept sharps - unless they are still with the medicine in the original packaging.

9. Can we drop-off medications anytime?

The Police Department only accepts medications twice a year in one-day (four-hour events) in the Spring and Fall.

Outside of the events, we offer an envelope for you to mail medications for a fee of pre-paid postage $4.20.

You might consider other programs listed on https://www.erieco.gov/1336/Medication-Take-Back

10. Do medications need to be in the original prescription bottle?

No. Medications do not need to be in any packaging at all. Or, medications can be in packaging. 

You're welcome to keep the packaging, or bring it as well for safely disposing. The medications are collected by Erie Police Evidence Technicians, who then pass directly to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who then use an incinerator.