Shaler Police collect nearly 500 pounds of prescription drugs on Drug Take Back Day

Shaler Police, along with Remembering David founders Norma and David Hufnagel, held the Shaler event for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 23.

The event was held at the Shaler North Hills Library and cars could be seen throughout the day stopping at the collection site with drivers handing over plastic bags of no-longer-needed prescription drugs through their vehicle windows.

No questions were asked, and the only comments made were ‘thank you” from the attending Shaler Police, the Hufnagels and volunteer Candy Newcamp.

Nearly 500 lbs. of prescription drugs were collected in Shaler.

Norma and David Hufnagel of Etna lost their son David in 2007 to a heroin overdose. David had suffered from bipolar disorder and tried to medicate himself with drugs and alcohol. After an accident in 2006, David was prescribed OxyContin. When that prescription ran out, the Hufnagels said David first bought the drug on the streets and when that was no longer affordable, he turned to heroin.

“David’s journey ended in his death, our journey started with his tragedy, and is still moving on,” Norma Hufnagel said.

The Drug Take Back Program is held twice a year and gives the public the opportunity to get unused prescription drugs out of their medicine cabinets without just throwing them away or flushing them, and raises awareness of substance abuse and the danger of keeping these drugs in your home.

The next event will be held in April 2022.