Get Rid Of Unused Prescription Drugs At Lakewood Event

LAKEWOOD, OH —Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its annual prescription medication Take Back Day on April 24, with a collection site in Lakewood.

Lakewood residents can drop off their unwanted prescriptions at the Lakewood police department, 12650 Detroit Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Personnel will be in the department lobby to assist with disposals, Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck told Patch.

Lakewood police also have a prescription drop off box available in their lobby. Residents can dispose of unwanted medications using that box at any time.

Participants can dispose of tablets, capsules and other solid forms of prescriptions at the event. Liquids, syringes and other illegal drugs will not be accepted. Vaping devices will be accepted if the accompanying lithium battery has been removed.

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.