National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 24
BATAVIA, OH — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue, takes place on Saturday, April 24.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting prescription drugs for disposal in person, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 24. Pills/tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs will be accepted. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
The public also may drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites, which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. There are several permanent drug drop off boxes throughout Clermont County:
- Bethel Police Department
- Clermont County Sheriff’s Office
- Goshen Police Department
- Loveland Police Department
- Mercy Hospital Anderson and Clermont locations
- Miami Township Police Department
- Milford Police Department
- Pierce Township Police Department
You also may find a drug drop off box near you at: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose. The U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period (CDC, 2020). The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.