223 sites across Ohio collected 18,721 pounds of unneeded prescription drugs
/ WNWO Image File
TOLEDO -- The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) fifth national Prescription Drug Take Back Day deemed a success by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
223 sites across Ohio collected nine tons or 18,721 pounds of unneeded prescription drugs Saturday. The Ohio Attorney General partnered with the DEA and local law enforcement to educate the public and take harmful unused prescription drugs out of medicine cabinets.
"It only takes one pill to end someone's life," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "Thanks to excellent community participation in this event, thousands of pills will never get into the wrong hands."
Health officials claim that tossing medication in the trash or down the toilet can pollute water ways. Keeping medication in the house can present a problem for others.
"Kids or other folks who pick up and use without knowing what they are,” said William Quinlan of St. Luke’s Hospital. “It's pretty dangerous so this helps to get the drugs out of circulation.”
All prescription drugs collected from 223 Ohio drop sites were incinerated.
"The amount of pills returned by Ohioans is a strong indicator that they care very deeply about disposing of their unneeded prescriptions properly," said DEA Columbus Group Supervisor Mark McHugh. "We are grateful to every resident in Ohio who took time out of their busy day on Saturday to bring their medications to a drop off location."
Communities in all 50 states participated in Prescription Drug Take Back Day, including the District of Columbia.
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