Mercy Health participates in drug take-back day

Amherst PD another drop-off site

Once again, Mercy Health — Lorain will participate in the annual drug take-back Initiative on April 22, which offers the community an opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired medication, according to a news release.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications, the release said.

While it is a nationwide initiative, the day is made possible locally through the partnership of area police, municipal and health care organizations, according to the release.

Mercy Health offers access to a medication drop box 24-hours-a-day, sevendays-a-week outside the emergency department at Mercy Health — Allen Hospital, 200 W. Lorain St. in Oberlin, and inside the surgical waiting room at Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital, 3600 Kolbe Road in Lorain.

“Medications can be an important part of a patient’s health care journey. Once they’re no longer needed, it is imperative that they are disposed of properly to ensure the safety of others and our environment,” said Dr. Christopher Haas, vice president of Medical Affairs for Mercy Health - Lorain Hospital, in the release. “Drug Take Back Day is a good reminder of the responsibility we all have in making sure medications are disposed of correctly.

“We are proud to partner with other organizations throughout the community to ensure that area residents have a means to properly and lawfully dispose of medications in a safe way. Our hospitals will serve as a medication drop-off location on Drug Take Back Day and are available to the community to utilize throughout the year as well.”

Accepted medications include vitamins, pills and pet medications.

The hospitals cannot accept needles, inhalers, liquids, lotions, aerosols, ointments and creams.

Amherst takes part

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 22, Amherst residents may get rid of any expired or other prescription medications by dropping them off at the Amherst Police Station, 911 N. Lake St., according to a news release.

All medications collected will be kept by law enforcement officers until disposed.

Lorain County Public Health provides information on other drug dropoff sites in Lorain County.

To find a drop-off location, visit dea.gov/takebackday.