National Drug Take Back Day

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A day to turn in unused or expired medication for the purpose of throwing away safely.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is recognizing October 27th as 2018’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. They are aiming to provide a responsible way of disposing prescription drugs and also educating the public on the potential abuse of medications. Members of the Zanesville community have the opportunity tomorrow to turn in these items by stopping at the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department for the prescription drug drop-off event. People have the option to just drive through as well.

“You literally can just drive right up, you don’t even have to get out of your car. We will take the medication from you, and then with our partners we will be there to take care of that for you,” said Muskingum County Sheriff, Matt Lutz.

Prescription and over the counter tables, capsules, liquids, injectables, and needles will be accepted. Medications may be left in original containers, but it’s not necessary. The event is free and anonymous. Personal information will be removed from the containers. Muskingum County Sheriff, Matt Lutz, says Drug Take Back Day makes for a safer community.

“You do not want these pills laying around. People will break into your house for them. We’ve had relatives steal them from relatives, they try to consume them, they try to sell them. And obviously for health department reasons we don’t want them flushed down the toilets or thrown out in our community,” Lutz added.

Prescription drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Muskingum County has also created a permanent drop off site that runs 24/7 at the Muskingum County jail.