A chance for disposal
Police station participating in Drug Take Back Day
A uniformed police officer will be present April 29 to collect unused medication. Photo by EMILY CANNING-DEAN
WADSWORTH – Getting rid of unwanted or unused medication will be as simple as taking a drive later this month.
The Wadsworth Police Department is once again hosting Drug Take Back Day April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A uniformed officer will be standing outside of the police station lobby, 120 Maple Street, to collect the drugs. Participants don’t even need to get out of their car.
“We have a drop box inside City Hall where people can get rid of unused medications at any time, but this is a nice option for people who might have trouble getting around and coming inside,” Police Chief Randall Reinke said.
Reinke said Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“We turn over the drugs to the DEA for disposal,” Reinke said. “The DEA will register certain sites throughout the county for Drug Take Back Day. We pretty much consistently have been one of the sites. These events are very successful here. Typically we collect between 60 to 100 pounds of medication.”
Reinke said especially with the opiate epidemic, getting rid of unused or unwanted medication is step in the right direction.
“But this is not only for opiates,” he said. “Any medicine sitting around the house can be abused or there is a risk of accidental exposure. And it isn’t good to throw medication in the trash or flush it down the toilet.”
Reinke said anyone can drop off medication during Drug Take Back Day with no questions asked. The event is not limited to Wadsworth residents.
“The main thing is we can’t take needles or sharps,” Reinke said. “But we can dispose of any type of medication liquid or pill form.”
It is recommended that prescription labels are removed from bottles and Reinke said it is best if pills are removed from bottles and placed in a plastic bag.
Reinke said the Wadsworth Police Department is happy to participate in the program.
“We have done this ever since I have been chief so at least for seven years and I think we have done it for longer than that,” he said. “We do this at least once every year and sometimes twice.”
The Wadsworth Police Department is once again hosting Drug Take Back Day April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A uniformed officer will be standing outside of the police station lobby, 120 Maple Street, to collect the drugs. Participants don’t even need to get out of their car.
“We have a drop box inside City Hall where people can get rid of unused medications at any time, but this is a nice option for people who might have trouble getting around and coming inside,” Police Chief Randall Reinke said.
Reinke said Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“We turn over the drugs to the DEA for disposal,” Reinke said. “The DEA will register certain sites throughout the county for Drug Take Back Day. We pretty much consistently have been one of the sites. These events are very successful here. Typically we collect between 60 to 100 pounds of medication.”
Reinke said especially with the opiate epidemic, getting rid of unused or unwanted medication is step in the right direction.
“But this is not only for opiates,” he said. “Any medicine sitting around the house can be abused or there is a risk of accidental exposure. And it isn’t good to throw medication in the trash or flush it down the toilet.”
Reinke said anyone can drop off medication during Drug Take Back Day with no questions asked. The event is not limited to Wadsworth residents.
“The main thing is we can’t take needles or sharps,” Reinke said. “But we can dispose of any type of medication liquid or pill form.”
It is recommended that prescription labels are removed from bottles and Reinke said it is best if pills are removed from bottles and placed in a plastic bag.
Reinke said the Wadsworth Police Department is happy to participate in the program.
“We have done this ever since I have been chief so at least for seven years and I think we have done it for longer than that,” he said. “We do this at least once every year and sometimes twice.”