In support of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s national medication take back initiative, members of the community partnered up to help dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medications, keeping them from falling into the wrong hands or harming the environment. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue.
Dedicated students in the high school club STAND (Students Together Against Negative Decisions), members from CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), volunteers from PHNR (Partnership for a Healthy North Royalton), and law enforcement joined together and held a local Medication Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28 at the Timber Ridge Plaza and Giant Eagle shopping centers.
Despite the rain and cold temperatures, the community cleaned out their medicine cabinets and volunteers collected 349 pounds of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines for safe disposal. This was the largest collection to date.
“The medication take back event empowers the community to take action and participate in prevention efforts,” said Sheri Stafford, PHNR community liaison. “In addition to promoting community action, it helps increase public awareness, attention, and education related to the dangers and devastating effects of drug abuse.”
The medicine cabinet can serve as a stepping stone for prescription painkiller abuse. Addicts may move to heroin when they can no longer obtain or afford those painkillers. Cleaning out unwanted household medications reduces accidents, thefts, and the misuse and abuse of these medicines.
“Through OVI arrests, officers have found that polydrug use is increasing. Alcohol mixed with other drugs amplifies the effect of impairment. Misuse uses of pharmaceuticals have also increased. These trends are nationwide,” said School Resource Officer and Event Coordinator Jon Karl. “Participating in this national event can help keep these pharmaceuticals from diversion, misuse, and abuse.”
If you missed the event, you can still dispose of any expired or unused over-the-counter and prescription medicines at the North Royalton Police Department, 14000 Bennett Road. The convenient drug drop box is located in the lobby and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The process is anonymous and no paperwork is necessary.
“The police station drop box consistently collects about 20 – 30 pounds of pills per week,” added Karl.
The next community Drug-Take Back Day will be held in the spring. The free event offers a convenient drive-thru drop off. Like the drop box, there is no paperwork involved, and participants keep their anonymity. Pills may be removed from their original container and placed in a sealed plastic bag.