ERIC NORRIS / FLICKR
Counties all across Ohio are aiding in the effort to combat drug addiction by participating in National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 28. Police departments and Sheriff's offices will allow citizens to safely dispose of their unneeded or unwanted prescription medication, no questions asked.
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs that year. The study concluded that a majority of the drugs abused were frequently acquired from home medicine cabinets. The DEA hopes to prevent the start of drug addiction, enabling of current battles, and risk of overdosing by allowing the safe disposal of these drugs.
Last year's Drug Take Back Day boasted 5,498 collection sites across the country and brought in a remarkable, 900,386 pounds (450 Tons) of prescription medications.
The Ohio opioid epidemic is still waging a war on the lives many citizens, but the drug take back initiative may assist in ending addiction problems before they begin. Opioid addiction has been proven to act as a risk factor to heroin abuse, and many addicts cite their initiation into non-medical opioid through medicine obtained from family, friends, or personal prescriptions.
Cleveland Police Departments in Districts 1-5 are all participating in this event, as are many others across Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. To find a participating drop-off center nearest to you, click here.
