Snapshot: UMPD National Prescription Drug Take-Back a Big Success

Upper Moreland Police Department’s () participation in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was a huge success.

The event, which is nationally sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, took place locally at the in Willow Grove yesterday.

From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Upper Moreland police officer and Community Service Responder Tina McGuckin manned a large display table, located at the main entrance to the supermarket.

The table displayed several large National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day posters, four of which were posted on the fronts of sizeable, trash bag-lined bins.

“I think that this is the best one we’ve had since we’ve been doing this,” Ruddell said at around noon. “It’s not even half-way through the event, and the bins are almost full.”

“And, there are two full bags underneath the table,” McGuckin added. “Some have come back with more.”

Event participants, who remained anonymous, could be seen entering with Giant’s shopping carts, carrying large plastic bags filled with unused, often colorful, prescription pills.

The UMPD representatives greeted each participant with a welcoming smile, as they placed the drug-filled bags in the bins, and went on their way.

One such participant stopped to thank the UMPD representatives for holding the event.

“It’s good that they’re not getting on the streets,” she said.

Both Ruddell and McGuckin have worked together to organize and participate in the National Drug Take-Back Day. Yesterday’s event marked its fourth occurrence in Upper Moreland and througout the nation.

According to a , in Montgomery County alone, there were 24 participating sites that successfully collected 825 pounds of unused prescription or illicit drugs.

Ruddell said that previous UMPD participation offered a ‘drive-through’ service at the UMPD police station, but opted this year to exclusively hold the event at Giant for its parking and larger accommodation.

“Giant here has been wonderful,” she said.

Ruddell also pointed out that Giant had also been a drop off point for several other local police departments, including Horsham and Warminster, Montgomery and Whitpain.