On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lake Health, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Lake County Narcotics Agency and the Lake County General Health District, will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Bring your medications for disposal to West Medical Center (main lobby), 36000 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. Needles and syringes will be accepted in addition to other expired medications. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Those who drop off prescription drugs will receive a $5 coupon for over-the-counter products at Lake Health’s retail pharmacies, while supplies last.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.
