CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a previously published, unrelated story.
On October 23, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, University Hospitals will offer several locations across Northeast Ohio for residents to discard their unused prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Items that are accepted include controlled and non-controlled prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and liquid medications in bottles, must be packaged in a Ziploc bag.
UH officials say that illegal drugs, needles, syringes, medical devices, aerosol cans and inhalers, mercury-containing devices, radiopharmaceuticals, and liquid chemo agents will not be accepted at these locations.
“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” explained Champ Burgess, Chief Pharmacy Officer at University Hospitals. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. In addition, Americans are now advised that common methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – pose potential safety and health hazards.”
In Ohio alone, more than 3,500 opioid-related overdose hospitalizations were recorded in the first quarter of 2021, according to the Ohio Hospital Association.
“UH has worked hard to mitigate the opioid epidemic and substance misuse in our community,” explained Jeanne Lackamp, MD, Director of the UH Pain Management Institute. “Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is just one more way we are demonstrating our commitment to the health and well-being of the community and working to reduce the number of unintentional opioid-related overdose deaths.”
On top of the permanent MedDrop boxes located inside of local UH facilities such as UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Ahuja Center for Women & Children, UH is offering several other drop off locations in the area. To find a drug take-back location near you, click here.
In Ohio alone, more than 3,500 opioid-related overdose hospitalizations were recorded in the first quarter of 2021, according to the Ohio Hospital Association.
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Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a previously published, unrelated story.