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    • Our offices will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24 & 25, and on Dec. 31 & Jan. 1. If you need immediate help for addiction, please visit our Get Help Now page for links to hotlines and treatment providers.

    Medication Safety

    Proper storage and disposal of medications prevents accidental and intentional misuse and helps protect the environment.

    In Berks County, residents can take advantage of three FREE programs that support medication safety


    En Español

    Berks County Programs for Medication Safety - Free to residents

    Medication Drop Boxes

    Available at over 20 locations county-wide

    Learn more
    FREE Medication Disposal Bags

    Destroy unused medications quickly and easily at home

    Order free bags
    FREE Medication Lock Boxes

    The locking medicine case allows for organization and secure storage of medicines and medical supplies.

    Learn more
    Health to Go Vending Machine

    The Health to Go Vending Machine is available 24/7, offering a variety of free wellness supplies including medication disposal bags and Narcan. The machine is located in the lobby of the Reading YMCA, 631 Washington St. in Reading.

    Learn more

    Did you know?

    From 2012-2022 a total of 40 tons of medications were disposed of in Berks County Medication Drop Boxes.

    Did you know?

    Flushing or pouring medications down the drain can pollute our waters, impact aquatic species, and contaminate our food and water supplies.

    Click here for interactive map


    About the Berks County Medication Drop Boxes

    Where are drop boxes located?

    Medication drop boxes are securely placed at over 20 municipal police buildings throughout Berks County. These drop boxes resemble a United States Postal Service mailbox, and items can be easily dropped in, but cannot be retrieved unless unlocked by Berks County District Attorney Detectives. Inventoried medications are incinerated at the discretion of the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives and Solid Waste Authority.

    Click here for list of locations

    Click here for locations across PA

    What items are accepted?

    Accepted items include:

    • Any expired or unused medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, including pet medications and drug samples.
    • Vitamins, ointments, powders and patch form medications.
    • Inhalers
    • Liquid medications encased in original plastic leak-proof containers.

    Please note: medications should be in the original container with personal information blacked out.  For further questions, please call our office at (610) 376-8669.

    What items are not accepted?

    Items not accepted include:

    • Any loose pills not in standard container or bag
    • Syringes (Click here for information on safe disposal of sharps)
    • Thermometers
    • Bloody or infectious waste
    • Sunblock, lipstick, deodorant, skin cream and hydrogen peroxide
    • Cleaning agents and aerosol cans
    • Medications from businesses.

    Who sponsors the Berks County Drop Box Program?

    This program was developed as a cooperative effort between the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA), and the Berks County Solid Waste Authority.

     How much medication is collected in Berks County Drop Boxes?