Story By: POCONO RACEWAY – LONG POND, PA – Pocono Raceway, which hosts the only large-scale drug take back program of its kind in Pennsylvania, will partner with the Office of the Attorney General for a sixth consecutive year to assist in combating the opioid epidemic during its July 12-14 NASCAR race weekend.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, in partnership with Pocono Raceway, will continue to provide an example for other large venues and sports organizations on the importance of embracing the state’s initiatives to fight this rampant national epidemic.
Since 2017, the OAG’s statewide Drug Take Back program has collected and destroyed
nearly 300 tons of prescription drugs. Since the OAG had its first partner event with Pocono Raceway a year later, more the 450 pounds of medications has been gathered at the track during its annual NASCAR race weekend.
“My office’s continued efforts to fight the opioid epidemic have resulted in the disposal of 300 tons of medications through drug take-back events statewide,” Attorney General Henry said. “These expired or unneeded medications could have easily fallen into the wrong hands, but vigilance and action from community members ensured they were instead safely destroyed.
“Our friends at Pocono Raceway have been partners with us in these efforts for six years now, and I am so grateful for their help. Join us at this year’s race, so we can all have fun while being responsible about what medications we keep in our homes. See you at the Raceway!”
Fans visiting on any of the three days of the upcoming NASCAR tripleheader weekend can contribute to the initiative by bringing unneeded and outdated prescription medications to the track. They will be able to safely dispose of them at the OAG’s Drug Take Back drop-off location under the flagpole just outside the raceway’s main entrance.
Race attendees who drop off prescription drugs to support the Take Back program will be given a voucher for prize drawings from Pocono Raceway.
“The opioid epidemic continues to plague Pennsylvanians, and Pocono Raceway is proud to use our platform in partnership with The Office of the Attorney General to educate and offer a take-back location for race fans to dispose of unneeded and expired medication,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said.
The Office of Attorney General released a special report in 2022 on fentanyl becoming the dominant opioid in Pennsylvania and increasingly found in counterfeit pills. The report noted that a single fentanyl-laced counterfeit pill is enough to cause an overdose and possibly death. Click HERE to watch the video of Attorney General Henry and May discuss the opioid epidemic and how race attendees can make a difference.
The Pocono Raceway three-day weekend will feature a NASCAR national series race each day. The CRC Brakleen 175 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race will open the action on Friday, July 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 will follow on Saturday, July 13, at 3 p.m. The weekend will be highlighted by The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA Cup Series race Sunday, July 14, beginning at 2:30 p.m.