Drug take- back event coming to Oxford

OXFORD » Jennersville Hospital - Tower Health is partnering with Oxford Borough Police Department to educate the community about the importance of properly disposing of medications and to encourage removal of unnecessary medications from their homes. On Saturday, from8 a. m. to noon, community members can participate in a drivethru medication take- back event. The event will take place at the police department, 57 N. Fourth St.

According to the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, one in five high school students have abused prescription drugs and 75% of those who abuse prescription pain relievers get them from friends or relatives. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, each day, almost 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for prescription opioid abuse.

“The Oxford Police Department has always taken a proactive stance to this opioid crisis,” said Cpl. Scott Brown. “Prior to the national spotlight, the department supported, and participated in numerous community related events attempting to educate our residents about its relevance even within our small community. We have had a med- drop- box within our station since April 2014 and to date, have collected and destroyed more than 1,636 pounds of dangerous drugs from residents emptying their medicine cabinets.”

Brown also stated “Our entire agency was trained in the use of Naloxone ( NARCAN) beginning in 2015, and nearly every Officer in the department has provided this life saving treatment at some point during their patrol. Unfortunately, we are still responding to fatal overdoses, and personally see the impact it has on everyone involved.”