(PORTSMOUTH, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that more than 300 pounds of unwanted or unneeded prescriptions drugs were collected this weekend during a “Prescription Drug Take Back Day” in Scioto County.
Members of the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation joined representatives from Kroger, Cardinal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office to collect the medications Saturday.
“We cannot stress enough how important it is to get rid of those old, unneeded prescription drugs that are sitting in your medicine cabinet,” said Attorney General DeWine. “The medications could end up in the hands of addicts or even children, and we need to keep our families safe.”
Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Methadone were among the thousands of pills disposed of Saturday at two Scioto County locations.
Portsmouth Kroger -- 117 lbs of prescription drugs
Wheelersburg Kroger -- 201 lbs of prescription drugs
Total -- 318 lbs of prescription drugs
“Pharmaceutical collection events are a great idea and have allowed the community to have the option of safely and legally disposing of their expired and/or unwanted medicines,” said Scioto County Sheriff Marty Donini.
During a similar event last year, residents dropped off approximately 100 pounds of prescription drugs.
“The fact that the amount of unwanted prescription drugs collected tripled this year shows that Ohioans are taking this problem seriously,” said DeWine. “Law enforcement will now take these medications and properly and safely dispose of them.”
Southern Ohio has been described as the epicenter of prescription drug abuse in Ohio, leading authorities to hold the special drug take back day in Scioto County, in addition to the two national prescription drug take back days recognized in April and October.
Earlier this month, the Attorney General announced a program to supply free prescription drug disposal boxes in southern Ohio. With the help of the Ohio Department of Health and Drug Free Action Alliance, approximately 75 permanent prescription drug drop boxes will be awarded to southern Ohio law enforcement agencies.
Scioto County authorities have applied one of the drop boxes. The recipients of the boxes are expected to be announced next month.
Photos:
Bin of Prescription Drugs
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Collecting Prescriptions
Scioto Co. Sheriff's Office and BCI Collecting Prescriptions
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840