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Drug take-back day helps dispose of old prescription medication

Andy Long

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The fight against prescription drug abuse takes another big step this weekend.

NBC4 has long reported on the growing drug problem in central Ohio, with some of the issues starting right in the family medicine cabinet.


This weekend, a big drug take back day with NBC4 teaming up to get unused or expired medicines out of homes and disposed of properly.

Experts have pushed hard for families to keep medicines out of reach from teens living in the house.

With prescription drug abuse a very big problem, we have seen how some teens graduate from pills to heroin.

But many times it can start with young people grabbing bottles and meeting up with others who have done the same.

“They’ll grab pill bottles and have parties where they pour them into a bucket, pass the bowl around, so these events where people can have a safe place to get rid of pills is important,” Dr. Delaney Smith, Medical Director of the ADAMH Board of Franklin County said.

At the ADAMH Board of Franklin County, it has been plenty of hard work to make sure there are options for those who are fighting addiction.

They have worked hard with partners like MaryHaven to add detoxification beds and staff members to help when the problem exists, and to make sure there is an educational component beyond just getting Naloxone from a pharmacy.

The ADAMH Board is already lining up families for that education next month.

“Really reaching them about how to use the kit, and having resources, so they have what they need, response, and when to use Naloxone,” Dr. Smith said.

Here is a list of the drop off sites for this weekend.

Safe Drug Disposal Day

On Saturday, April 30 from 10am-2pm, you can turn in your unused or expired medications for safe disposal at one of these participating Kroger stores:

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