(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that Ohioans returned more than 9 tons (18,721 pounds) of unneeded prescription drugs on Saturday, during the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) fifth national Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office partners with the DEA and other local law enforcement agencies to warn residents about what can happen when pills are taken by those who do not have a prescription.
"It only takes one pill to end someone's life," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "Thanks to excellent community participation in this event, thousands of pills will never get into the wrong hands."
There were 223 collection sites in Ohio. All of the returned pills will be incinerated.
"The amount of pills returned by Ohioans is a strong indicator that they care very deeply about disposing of their unneeded prescriptions properly," said DEA Columbus Group Supervisor Mark McHugh. "We are grateful to every resident in Ohio who took time out of their busy day on Saturday to bring their medications to a drop off location."
Communities in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, participated in Saturday's event.
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