logo
Drug Take Back Day collects 825 pounds

Drug Take Back Day collects 825 pounds

Yahoo28-04-2025

POTTSVILLE — A total of 825 pounds of drugs were collected during National Drug Take Back Day in Schuylkill County Saturday.
That was an increase compared to last year's total of 688.5 pounds, officials said.
In all, 22 sites in the county participated in the national event, which is held in April and October. A representative with the Drug Enforcement Agency collected the drugs Monday for incineration.
Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody said he appreciated the effort of everyone who donated and participated.
'I'm glad to see that we got that many turned in,' he said Monday of the 47 boxes.
People were able to drop off unused, unwanted and expired medications. Items not accepted included glass containers, intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes and controlled substances such as marijuana and methamphetamines.
Meanwhile, drugs can be dropped off anytime during regular business hours at the security entrance to the Schuylkill County Courthouse. Residents can also drop off unused prescription drugs at the Minersville Police Station or at the Ashland Borough Hall or police station.
The following locations and their total pounds of drugs collected:
• Ashland Police Department, 51
• Butler Twp., 24
• Frackville, 45
• Foster, three
• Lehigh Valley Hospital East Norwegian St., 14
• Mahanoy City, 60
• Mechanicsville, seven
• Minersville, 40
• Orwigsburg, 40
• Palo Alto, seven
• Pine Grove, 79
• Port Carbon, nine
• Pottsville, 23
• Rush Twp., 19
• Saint Luke's Miners Campus, 21
• Schuylkill County Courthouse (security entrance), 181
• Schuylkill Haven, 18
• Shenandoah, 25
• Tamaqua, 136
• West Mahanoy, 23
West Penn Twp. and Saint Clair had zero drop-offs.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police respond to report that men 'brandished gun' at Ashland MA train station
Police respond to report that men 'brandished gun' at Ashland MA train station

Yahoo

time7 days ago

  • Yahoo

Police respond to report that men 'brandished gun' at Ashland MA train station

Two men who are accused of brandishing a firearm on Thursday, May 29, at the MBTA Commuter Rail station platform in Ashland sparked a large police presence, authorities said. Police have charged the two men, who are both in their 20s, according to a press release from the Ashland Police Department. According to the release, police from Ashland, Framingham and Hopkinton, as well as the MBTA Transit Police, responded at 4:23 p.m. Thursday to the platform after fielding a 911 call. The caller told police that Commuter Rail employees removed two men from the train and that the pair 'were observed brandishing a firearm,' according to the release. More: How MetroWest benefits from MA transit agency's $9.8 billion capital investment plan Upon arrival, police, along with several police dogs, soon found the first suspect walking near the station. When the man saw police, he pulled a mask over his face and put both of his hands in his pockets, according to the release. Police stopped the man and took him into custody. When they frisked him, they found a 9mm Glock high-capacity magazine, police said in the release. Witnesses told police the second man had run into some nearby woods. Police found him soon after and took him into custody. He did not possess a gun, police said in the release. 'This incident highlights the dedication and bravery of the men and woman of the Ashland Police Department' Deputy Police Chief Michael Viniciulla said in a statement. 'The residents of Ashland can remain confident in the commitment of their police department to public safety at all times.' The two men, both of Marlborough, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon; possession of a firearm without an FID card; and carrying a firearm without a permit. More: MetroWest transit agency has new, larger buses for its busiest route One man was also charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The second man was also charged with possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession of a large capacity feeding device. The case is being investigated by the MBTA Transit Police. They could not be reached for comment on Friday, May 30. Both suspects were arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court. Judge Michael Callahan ordered both held without bail, pending hearings to determine whether they are dangers to the public. One man's hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 2, and the second man's hearing is Wednesday, June 4. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@ For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Two men charged in gun incident at Ashland MBTA commuter rail station

DEA Houston warns of synthetic opioid hitting Houston and surrounding areas
DEA Houston warns of synthetic opioid hitting Houston and surrounding areas

Yahoo

time29-05-2025

  • Yahoo

DEA Houston warns of synthetic opioid hitting Houston and surrounding areas

The Brief DEA Houston warns of the synthetic opioid Nitazene, saying it's 25% more potent than fentanyl. DEA Houston says they have seen a major increase in overdoses and seizures in the last year. A mother who lost her son to fentanyl is advocating for change and shares her message for families. HOUSTON - The Houston field office for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is putting out a serious and stern warning about a synthetic drug called Nitazene that's leading to seizures and overdoses in teens and adults. What they're saying The DEA says Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Brazoria County have all been impacted by Nitazene, which is 25% more potent than fentanyl. Special Agent William Kimbell with the DEA says Nitazene, a killer synthetic drug, has been in our area since 2022. "In the last year, we've become more and more concerned because our number of seizures have gone up in between November and February of this year. We have had a 15% increase of overdoses from Nitazene in Houston," said Special Agent Kimbell. "Nitazene is a typical opioid. It suppresses your breathing, it suppresses your blood pressure, and your body is so suppressed, you can't breathe anymore." Special Agent Kimbell says the drug is impacting people in a wide age range. "We've seen overdoses now from the ages of 17 to 59, so really. If you are buying a pill from someone you don't know, or you are using a pill that you don't know where it came from, it could have Ntazene in it and it's extremely dangerous," said Special Agent Kimbell, "Its synthetic route is very hard to make, and you need lab experience, but we are seeing Nitazene that are made in China, and they are purchased online and smuggled into the US in parcels, and locally, we are seeing drug gangs take fentanyl and Nitazene and pressing it into a what looks like a prescription drug." Why you should care Special Agent Kimbell says Nitazene can be purchased online, using a smartphone. He says, sadly, that's how many kids are getting their hands on it. "We are seeing kids carry that – they can reach a drug dealer that is carrying this type of drug instantly," he said. "Within minutes you can tuck your kids in bed, and they can get on social media, and they can have that stuff delivered to their house." Local perspective Stephanie Roe, who lost her son Tucker at 19 to fentanyl in 2021, has a warning to families and raising awareness through Texas Against Fentanyl. "I watched this come into his life and be introduced as an adolescent, and he couldn't beat it. Ultimately, he used again after his treatment and that resulted in his death," said Roe," Nitazene are incredibly lethal. They have been found to be 20 times stronger than Fentanyl. Roe says it's important for families to talk to their kids and learn more about drug addiction, adding there is a real stigma that needs to be talked about. "The drug demographic is unlike anything we have seen before and these are highly addictive chemicals," Roe said," "You don't think it will happen to our child if you asked me if I would be someone who would lose a child" I would say no way, but the reality is there is no demographic here, its impacting so many people because there is a lack of education and awareness." The Source FOX 26 reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke with Special Agent William Kimbell of the Houston Drug Enforcement Agency and Stephanie Roe, who lost her son to a fentanyl overdose.

SWAT arrests Magna man over alleged ‘clandestine laboratory'
SWAT arrests Magna man over alleged ‘clandestine laboratory'

Yahoo

time22-05-2025

  • Yahoo

SWAT arrests Magna man over alleged ‘clandestine laboratory'

MAGNA, Utah () — A 45-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after police reportedly uncovered a suspected drug laboratory in Magna. Thomas Vu is facing charges of 'operation of a clandestine laboratory' after SWAT executed a search warrant at Vu's house, police say. According to court documents, officers found 43 grams of a 'crystallize substance… consistent with meth.' Police also found glassware, beakers, and chemical liquids in the garage of the house. Remains of Utah woman found a mile away from where her 'original remains' were discovered last year Documents show the Drug Enforcement Agency lab team also responded to the scene. Agents tested the lab equipment at the house. Items tested positive for , and ketamine. The West Jordan Street Crimes Unit had been investigating Vu to be involved in 'distributing various controlled substances' for several weeks prior to executing the search warrant. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SCHEDULE | Race day for the Indianapolis 500 Kurt Busch, Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant voted into NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Taylorsville man accused of threatening landlord in 'religious rituals,' vandalizing home and church SWAT arrests Magna man over alleged 'clandestine laboratory' Judge blocks Trump layoffs, order to close Education Department Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store