National Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24

In partnership with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board is promoting Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 24 in Lorain County to help keep homes safe from overdose risks, according to a news release.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at many drop- off locations, volunteers will provide medication disposal pouches and other drug safety resources for free to residents of Lorain County.

Locations include all Lorain County police departments, Sheriff’s Office and Columbia Township Fire Department, the release said.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs, according to the release.

The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet, the release said.

Though police departments and some other locations have secure prescription drug drop boxes all year, by residents cleaning out their cabinets on National Drug Take Back Day, they show that Lorain County is taking drug safety seriously, according to the release.

To learn more about how to help a loved one in active addiction or recovery, visit mharslc.org/recovery.

The Addiction Helpline is available at 440-9894900.

The MHARS Board is the behavioral health authority that plans, funds and monitors mental health and addiction services in Lorain County.