The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Today marks Drug Take Back Day
Lake, Geauga locations ready to accept, dispose of prescription drugs
Oct. 24 marks the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s 2020 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The DEA stated that a 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study found that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day “provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths,” the DEA stated.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement,” the DEA stated in a news release.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to the DEA the following Lake and Geauga law enforcement agencies have collection sites:
• Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department, 5860 Andrews Road
• Willowick Police Department, 30435 Lake Shore Boulevard
• Chardon Police Department, 111 Water St.
• Chester Township Police Department, 12696 Opalocka Drive
• Russell Township Police Department, 14820 Chillicothe Road
• Middlefield Police Department, 14860 N. State Ave.
Lake Health also announced it has a drop-off site.
Lake Health West Medical Center, 36000 Euclid Ave. in Willoughby, will be a collection site. Needles and syringes will be accepted in addition to other expired medications. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Those who drop off prescription drugs will receive a $5 coupon for over-thecounter products at Lake Health’s retail pharmacies, while supplies last.
Last October’s event collected 882,919 pounds (441.4 tons) of prescription drugs nationwide, according to the DEA. Ohio collected 52,356 pounds. Only California and Texas collected more.