Clark County prepares for National Drug Take Back Day

Residents can dispose of unused drugs during a drug-take back event on April 27.

Residents can dispose of unused drugs during a drug-take back event on April 27.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is offering new services for this year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 27.

Clark County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Melchi, said the county is widening its reach this year in order to collect more unused drugs.

The locations are 3130 East Main Street – Springview Parking Lot and 10000 West National Road – Tecumseh High School Parking Lot.

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Collection sites will be staffed with officers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, Melchi said.

In addition to offering another drop off site this year, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office is also offering another new service - a drive-thru.

“The nice part about the way we are doing it this year is you can drive up to the location, you don’t even have to exit your car,” Melchi said. “We will walk up to your car, gather your medications, and properly dispose of them.”

Springfield City Police Division will also accept outdated and unused prescription medications at the police sub-station located at 17 W. Johnny Lytle Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Started by the United State Drug Enforcement Administration, National Prescription Drug Take Back was created with the purpose of helping adults clean out their medicine cabinets.

Last year, the DEA collected and destroyed close to one million pounds, nearly 475 tons, of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, making it the most successful event in DEA history, according to the DEA’s website.

According to a study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2016 six million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

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