Get Rid Of Unused Prescription Drugs At Avon, Avon Lake Events

AVON, OH —Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its annual prescription medication Take Back Day on April 24, with collection sites in Avon and Avon Lake.

The Lorain County Sheriffs will host collection sites at the Avon police department 36145 Detroit Rd., and the Avon Lake police department, 32855 Walker Rd. Both sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Opioid overdose deaths spiked during the pandemic, the DEA reported. Many drug addictions begin with prescriptions. Some 83,544 Americans died between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That was the most overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period.

The increase in overdoses began before the pandemic but accelerated sharply in the first few months of COVID-19's spread. Many people battling addiction abused prescriptions taken from family and friends, so clearing out the medicine cabinet is essential, the DEA said.

“Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths,” said DEA Detroit Field Division Special Agent Keith Martin. “Take Back Day is not only a great opportunity to rid your home of unused medication, but is also a time to have important conversations about proper use and storage of prescription medication.”

The DEA's last Take Back Day in October collected more than 500 tons of unwanted prescription drugs.