What is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day?
People are encouraged to participate in the annual prescription drug take-back day from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on April 22 across Ohio.
What is Drug Take Back Day?
It’s an effort by the Drug Enforcement Agency to combat the drug epidemic by providing a safe place to dispose of unused, prescribed medication.
According to the Take Back Day website, the state aims to reduce the risk of anyone using prescription drugs by getting rid of them.
Safely disposing of unused or expired prescriptions helps stop the drugs from getting into the wrong hands.
“While the community does its part to turn in unneeded medications and remove them from potential harm, we are doing our part to reduce drug-related violence further,” the DEA website reads.
Where can prescriptions be dropped off?
Not all drugs can be dropped off for disposal.
Any prescription that is safely packaged can be dropped off.
No liquids, needles or sharp objects are accepted.
Several locations in the Mahoning Valley participate in Take Back Day, according to the DEA, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For a full list, visit the DEA website.
Mahoning County:
Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, 110 5th Ave., Youngstown
Boardman Police Department, 8299 Market St., Youngstown
Liberty Township Government Building, 1315 Churchill-Hubbard Rd., Youngstown
Austintown Police Department, 92 Ohltown Rd., Youngstown
St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, 1044 Belmont Ave., Youngstown
St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, 8401 Market St., Youngstown
Canfield Police Department, 104 Lisbon St., Canfield
Beaver Police Department, 601 W South Range Rd., North Lima
Springfield Township Police Department, 3475 E South Range Rd., New Springfield
Trumbull County:
Hubbard City Police Department, 233 School St., Hubbard
Bazetta Twp Police Department, 2671 McCleary Jacoby Rd., Cortland
Trumbull Action Group Drug Task Force, P.O. Box 189 in Warren
St. Joseph Warren Hospital, 667 Eastland Ave. SE, Warren
Columbiana County:
East Liverpool Hospital, 425 W. 5th St., East Liverpool
Professional Services building across from Salem Regional Medical Center, 2094 E State St., Salem
Western Pennsylvania:
Neshannock Municipal Building, 3131 Mercer Rd., Neshannock Township, PA
New Castle Police Department, 303 E North St., New Castle, PA
Meijer Drug Take Back program
Unused or expired prescriptions can also be dropped off at Meijer pharmacy locations.
Customers can stop by a Meijer store and drop off any unused over-the-counter medications in the drug take back kiosks near the pharmacy. Unused opioids or controlled substances are accepted.
To find their nearest pharmacy, customers can visit Meijer.com/Pharmacy.
“Although spring cleaning is top of mind right now for many people, it’s easy to forget about clearing out medicine cabinets. The Meijer Drug Take Back Program helps our customers remove the risk of an unforeseen medication accident and helps keep medications out of our waterways and environment, by providing a secure place to dispose of them,” said Jackie Morse, vice president of Meijer Pharmacy.
Looking back at 2022
Last year’s Drug Take Back Day, held in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, yielded 298 pounds of unused or expired prescription medications, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
If you miss Take Back Day this year, find controlled substance drop off locations that are open throughout the year here.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2023 at 4:42 PM.