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Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs at Sites Across Cuyahoga County
Contacts:
John O'Brien: (216) 263-4545; jfobrien@cuyahogacounty.us
National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
CUYAHOGA COUNTY – Cuyahoga County residents are encouraged to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday. This national semi-annual event and partnership with law enforcement agencies across the country aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Abuse of prescription drugs is too often followed by use of opioids. It is important to dispose of drugs safely since unsafe disposal in toilet or garbage can contaminate the water supply and soil. Residents can bring unwanted/unused medicines to a drop off location, where deputies will destroy them, with no damage to the environment.
“National Drug Take Back Day and the year-round Drug Drop Box programs give residents a safe and effective way to dispose of unwanted medications. We continue to experience the tragedy of opioid addiction in our community and it is necessary to get these medications out of our homes so that they are not a target for teens, preteens and/or thieves,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “I am proud to say that last year we increased our drop off rate by 23 percent. Let’s keep up the good work and do what we can to keep our homes and families safe.”
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has provided over forty-two municipalities across Cuyahoga County with Drug Drop Boxes. The boxes are available for drop off all year long.
In 2017, the program collected 12,478.7 pounds of unwanted, or expired medicine, removing drugs from medicine cabinets. For a list of Drop Boxes, visit www.rxdrugdropbox.org.
Nationally, nearly 1 million pounds (456 Tons) were taken in last year, from over 5,000 sites. With 263 sites and 195 participating law enforcement agencies, Ohio took in almost 36,000 lbs. The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 is 9,015,668 pounds, or 4,508 tons.
John O'Brien: (216) 263-4545; jfobrien@cuyahogacounty.us
National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
CUYAHOGA COUNTY – Cuyahoga County residents are encouraged to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday. This national semi-annual event and partnership with law enforcement agencies across the country aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Abuse of prescription drugs is too often followed by use of opioids. It is important to dispose of drugs safely since unsafe disposal in toilet or garbage can contaminate the water supply and soil. Residents can bring unwanted/unused medicines to a drop off location, where deputies will destroy them, with no damage to the environment.
“National Drug Take Back Day and the year-round Drug Drop Box programs give residents a safe and effective way to dispose of unwanted medications. We continue to experience the tragedy of opioid addiction in our community and it is necessary to get these medications out of our homes so that they are not a target for teens, preteens and/or thieves,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “I am proud to say that last year we increased our drop off rate by 23 percent. Let’s keep up the good work and do what we can to keep our homes and families safe.”
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has provided over forty-two municipalities across Cuyahoga County with Drug Drop Boxes. The boxes are available for drop off all year long.
In 2017, the program collected 12,478.7 pounds of unwanted, or expired medicine, removing drugs from medicine cabinets. For a list of Drop Boxes, visit www.rxdrugdropbox.org.
Nationally, nearly 1 million pounds (456 Tons) were taken in last year, from over 5,000 sites. With 263 sites and 195 participating law enforcement agencies, Ohio took in almost 36,000 lbs. The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 is 9,015,668 pounds, or 4,508 tons.
