Drug Take Back Day observed
Holzer Meigs ED was one of the locations to drop off during the Drug Take Back Day 2021. Submitted photo.
Drug Take Back Day observed
POMEROY, Ohio – National Drug Take Back Day was recently observed on Saturday April 24.
Multiple organizations worked together to offer drive-thru events in Meigs, Gallia, and Jackson Counties to create a local presence for the drug take back observance. Six locations were set up to officially receive outdated or unused prescriptions. These locations were Holzer Meigs Emergency Department, Holzer Cancer Center in Gallipolis, Park’s Edge lot in Jackson, Oak Hill City Building lot in Oak Hill, Parking area near Piggly Wiggly in Wellston, and Village Green Park in Coalton. Between all locations, over 125lbs of drugs were safely disposed of through this program.
Organizations involved included: Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS), Meigs County Sheriff’s Department, Gallia County Sheriff’s Department, Gallia/Meigs Citizens for Prevention and Recovery, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County Substance-Abuse Prevention & Addiction Resource Council (SPARC), Oak Hill Police Department, Scioto Valley of Realtors, and Wellston Police Department.
During these events, Deterra drug disposal kits were provided to each participant with instructions on how to safely dispose of medications at home. Powered by proprietary activated carbon, the Deterra Drug Deactivation System is simple and safe.
National Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. 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. This event is observed in the spring and fall of each year. If you have medications to dispose of before the next take back event, please contact your local law enforcement office to locate the nearest destruction box.
The next Drug Take Event is slated to occur in October 2021. Please watch for future announcements on Holzer’s website and Facebook page.
