Nick McWilliams reporting – Local locations are participating in the National Drug Take Back event on April 22nd.
Collections will take place at both Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover and Trinity Hospital Twin City in Dennison from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Empower Tusc Coordinator Jodi Salvo says that addiction can lead to common medicines being targeted for those struggling with the disease.
“Unfortunately, we’re living in a time where addiction is a reality. And someone that might be addicted to medications, sometimes, is looking for them. So you want to get them out of your house, and keep your house safe. Young people can often find initiation through the home medicine cabinet. We want to eliminate that opportunity in the community.”
In 2019, over 900,000 pounds of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications were disposed of nationwide during take back events.
Salvo says that the Drug Enforcement Administration advises residents to dispose of used needles by placing them inside a plastic container such as a laundry detergent bottle with the lid on, which can then be placed in garbage cans.
Salvo notes that they also will not accept liquid medications. A second take back event will also be held in October.
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