Medication take-back events Saturday

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Thanks to collaboration between the Clinton County Sheriff, Wilmington and Sabina police departments and Solutions Community Counseling and Recovery Centers, Clinton County will have two medication take-back events on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Law enforcement officers will be on hand to collect any prescription or over-the-counter medications that are expired or no longer needed at the Foster J. Boyd, MD Cancer Center in Wilmington and at Uhl’s IGA Market in Sabina.

Proper disposal of medication is a strong deterrent against drug abuse in the community. The new “dealer” in town often is the medicine cabinet in our home – 70 percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers report getting them from family or friends. One out of 10 ninth- through 12th-graders in Clinton County report abusing prescription drugs in the past year.

The mistaken belief that these medications are safer than “street” drugs like heroin can result in serious problems for individuals, like drug addiction or even overdose deaths and for communities due to increased crime. Abuse of prescription narcotic pain relievers such as Vicodin and Percocet, is a major contributing factor to the heroin addiction problem.

Properly disposing of medications also promotes safety. Getting rid of medications that are out of date can prevent accidents, such as taking the wrong medication. Not flushing drugs down the toilet prevents our water systems and landfills from “testing positive” from drugs. Not putting drugs in the trash can keep them out of the hands of people who abuse them – desperate people do desperate things.

Residents of Clinton County are also encouraged to take advantage of the two permanent “drug-drop” boxes provided as a free community service by local law enforcement agencies. Most unneeded, expired or unwanted medication – prescription and over-the-counter – can be left at these locations, no questions asked. No liquids or needles are accepted and all personal information should be removed from containers. The boxes are located at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office (entrance area), 1645 Davids Drive, and at the Wilmington Police Department at the dispatch window, 69 N. South St. Both locations are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Staff report

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