By MARIEKE ANDRONACHE

Special to The Press

Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Dr. Latika Davis-Jones came to Allentown on April 24 to discuss with various stakeholders how to manage the overdose crisis happening in the Lehigh Valley.

The Shapiro Administration has prioritized substance use disorder and recovery a priority, with DDAP investing $1.5 million in organizations helping those struggling with a drug addiction in this area.

Davis-Jones visited two treatment centers, Treatment Trends Inc. and Change on Hamilton, where she took part in a yoga session with recovering addicts.

Following a roundtable discussion on the opioid crisis, Davis-Jones met with reporters at the Lehigh County Government Center.

Surrounded by key government officials, she spoke on the importance of Take Back Day, held across the state on April 27.

“At a time when the disease of addiction still has a tight grip on the Commonwealth, the small act of disposing unused medication could very well saved your loved ones from developing a substance abuse disorder,” Davis-Jones explained.

To date, more than 1 million pounds of medication has been safely destroyed under the Take Back program.

According to Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris, there are collection boxes at 65 state police stations across the state, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications, including those for pets, are acceptable under the program.

Asthma inhalers, EpiPens and illicit drugs are not accepted.

“State police will not photograph you, question you, nor make any record of your visit,” Col. Paris said.

He said in the first three months of 2024, state troopers have seized $22 million worth of illegal drugs in traffic stops and investigations.

“Please do your part to ensure prescriptive drugs do not wind up in the wrong hands or used in the wrong way,” Paris concluded.

For further information, go to psp.pa.gov or dea.gov/takebackday.

Senior citizens in need of assistance, should call 1-800-955-0989.