SMETHPORT — While today is National Prescription Take Back Day, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reminds residents that medication drop boxes are always available in McKean County.

Each quarter, Shaffer’s office provides a report on the total collected at the five boxes, which was 78.5 pounds for the first quarter of 2025. From Jan.

8 to April 1, the box inside the City of Bradford police station collected 31 pounds. At the Bradford Township Police station, 5 pounds; Sheriff’s Department in Smethport, 18 pounds; Kane Borough Municipal building, 14.5 pounds; and Lewis Runbased state police barracks, 10 pounds.

The McKean County detectives collect the unused medication that has been deposited and members of the Attorney General’s office dispose of them.

“Prescription ‘Take Back’ days that are held on various days in different communities are a great opportunity to get rid of unused medication. We are fortunate here to have these boxes available every day at the (listed) locations thanks to the generous donation of the boxes by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys’ Association and PA American Water Company,” Shaffer said.

“Please look in your cabinets for any unused medication and take it to the nearest box to keep it out of the hands of anyone other than the person to whom it was prescribed.

If you suspect illegal drug activity, please contact the McKean County Drug Task Force at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or submit a tip to McKeanDA.org.”