More than 380 pounds of unused and expired medications were collected during the 2025 Prescription Drug Take Back Event held Saturday, May 3 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. The event was organized by the Berks County Medical Society in partnership with the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, the Reading Fightin’ Phils, SOS Berks, and the Council on Chemical Abuse.
The annual event, designed to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs and promote safe disposal, invited residents to drop off medications from their vehicles during a three-hour window. As an added incentive, the first 5,000 participants received free tickets to a Reading Fightin’ Phils game, courtesy of the Berks County Medical Society.
Detectives from the District Attorney’s Office oversaw the collection process, ensuring the secure handling of the medications before they were sealed and prepared for environmentally safe destruction. In total, 385 pounds of medication were collected, including 32 pounds of controlled substances. This year’s haul surpassed last year’s total by 128 pounds.
“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. This event keeps our community and loved ones safe by discarding old, unwanted, or unused prescription medications,” said the Berks County District Attorney’s Office in a statement.
Residents unable to attend the event can still dispose of medications year-round at any of the 30 drop box locations stationed at police departments across Berks County. These boxes accept unused, unwanted, or expired medications for safe and anonymous disposal.
