Prescription Drug Collection Day

The concern over prescription drug abuse has brought together the cities of Canal Winchester, Pickerington and Violet Township in conjunction with the Fairfield County Sheriff, Diley Ridge Medical Center, Prevention Works for a Drug-Free Fairfield County, Family Adult and Children First Council, and the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District to develop a regional Prescription Drug Collection Day with several drop-off locations. Canal WInchester's collection will be held April 25th from 9:00am-1:00pm at the Diley Ridge Medical Center parking lot 7911 Diley Road in Canal Winchester. “This will be a drive thru type setting where all you need to do is drop your unwanted prescription drugs at the drive thru and continue on your way” said Canal Winchester Mayor Michael Ebert. The NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY offers a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs in a safe manner.
More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
“Studies show that prescription drug abuse is often tied to medications from family and friends, including those readily available in home medicine cabinets. It is important to have a method to dispose of unused medication in order to reduce prescription drug abuse.” said Jodi Wilson, President and Chief Operating Officer, of Diley Ridge Medical Center
Flushing prescription drugs is a safety and environmental concern for every community. “There is growing concern of the impact of pharmaceuticals in wastewater and how they affect the fish and wildlife in the streams and rivers in the areas where we live. This unused prescription collection effort goes a long way in raising public awareness towards this issue, as well as helping to take some of the vast amounts of unused medications out of our landfills” said Steven Smith, Manager of Water Reclamation – City of Canal Winchester
“Prescription drug abuse over the years has become more wide spread and it’s time we start doing more to protect our children and grandchildren from prescription drugs and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department is pleased to be a part of this program” said Jerry Perrigo, Chief Deputy Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.
“We hope everyone in the area will take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of their expired and unwanted medications” said Mayor Michael Ebert.