Drug-disposal bags available free at 2 events
A group working to address the opioid epidemic is encouraging central Ohioans to clear their medicine cabinets of expired, unwanted or unused prescription painkillers as they prepare to spring their clocks ahead this weekend.
To help, the Ohio chapter of the Addiction Policy Forum will be handing out free drug-disposal bags on Saturday at two “Spring into Action” events in Columbus.
“This simple seasonal step — as routine as adjusting your clock, flipping your mattress or replacing the batteries in your smoke alarm — has huge potential to curb the troubling pattern of prescription drug misuse in Ohio,” said Diana Yoder, chapter co-chair.
Bags will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Community House, 1150 E. Main St. in Olde Towne East, and from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Support Services Division, 900 N. Hague Ave. on the West Side.
The bags, with water added, contain activated carbon that renders medications ineffective and safe for landfills in 30 seconds, according to manufacturer Deterra.
Advocates have long warned against keeping unneeded opioid-based painkillers because they can lead to improper use, and once they are depleted, users might turn to the opioid-based illicit drugs heroin, fentanyl or carfentanil.
In 2016, nearly 3,500 people died of unintentional, opioid-related drug overdoses in Ohio.
The sheriff’s office handout represents the first time the agency has participated in a drug disposal bag giveaway, said Sgt. Samuel Byrd of the community relations unit.
It’s hoped the effort will help people get unused drugs out of homes, where they could be accessible to children who may experiment, possibly leading to addictions and overdoses, Byrd said. The drug disposal bags also keep the environment and watersheds from being tainted by the flushing of drugs down toilets or the dissolving and dumping of them in sinks.
The Addiction Policy Forum also will be handing out bags in conjunction with the Central Community House’s free, public “Wellness Saturdays” events that will include child-care services, yoga, line dancing, a Sierra Club presentation and support groups for parents and men, said Marci Ryan, associate director.
“The opioid epidemic is huge in Columbus right now, and we are definitely in an area where drugs are around,” Ryan said. “We would definitely want to participate and make ourselves available to help.”
Free bags also are available at http://www. addictionpolicy.org/order.