Prescription drug abuse, namely abuse of prescription opioids, has contributed to a rise in overdoses and deaths in Erie County in recent years. To combat the crisis, Erie County employs several strategies targeting prevention.
The Erie County Office of Drug and Alcohol offers prescription bottle cap timers that indicate the last time the pill bottle has been opened. This helps deter theft of prescription medication.
Erie County also sponsors 13 Med Return Unit drop boxes stationed around the county. The medication collected in these units is properly destroyed, preventing misuse.
The following locations have a Med Return Unit box:
- Albion Police Department, 26 Smock Avenue, Albion
- Corry Police Department, 20 East South Street, Corry
- Edinboro Borough Police Department, 124 Meadville Street, Edinboro
- Edinboro University Campus Police, 911 Scotland Road, Edinboro
- Erie County Courthouse Lobby, 140 West Sixth Street, Erie
- Gannon University Police and Safety, 210 West Sixth Street, Erie
- Girard Police Department, 34 Main Street West, Girard
- Lake City Police Department, 2352 Main Street, Lake City
- Lawrence Park Police Department, 4230 Iroquois Avenue, Lawrence Park
- Mercyhurst University Police and Safety, McAuley Hall, Erie campus
- Mercyhurst North East Police, Miller Building, North East campus
- North East Borough Police, 58 East Main Street, North East
- Wesleyville Borough Police, 3421 Buffalo Road, Wesleyville
The Med Return Units accept prescription medications, patches, ointments and cough syrups; over-the-counter medications; vitamins and medication samples; and pet medications. Unacceptable substances are needles, lancets or syringes; aerosol cans or inhalers; alcohol or peroxide; clinical or medical waste; and personal care products.