(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are urging residents to safely dispose of prescription drugs during the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which will take place across the country on Saturday.
Ohioans can dispose of any unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription medications at hundreds of locations across the state on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of prescription drug disposal. Unused prescription drugs in homes create a public health and safety concern because the medications can be accidentally ingested, stolen, misused, and abused.
"Everyone who participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be playing a very important role in the fight against opioid addiction," said Attorney General DeWine. "The act of properly disposing of unneeded medications is a simple way that you can help prevent misuse and abuse."
“As we consider the issues of drug abuse in our communities, we must address the fact that prescription medication abuse is an ever present danger," said DEA Columbus Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Bulgrin. "The ability to combat the issue, at least in part, by collecting unused, outdated or otherwise useless prescription medication during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, is a positive step towards keeping our community and children safe. I encourage all to participate in this event.”
There will be more than 200 collection sites throughout the state. A list of collection sites in Ohio can be found on the DEA's website.
According to the DEA, previous Prescription Drug Take Back Day events have removed more than 3,601 tons of prescription drugs from circulation nationwide.
Only pills and other solid prescriptions, such as patches, can be disposed of at a collection site. Liquids and needles will not be accepted.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Mark McHugh (DEA): 614-255-4192