Drug Take Back Day Set for April 26th

ZANESVILLE, OH – If you’ve got old medications piling up at home, this weekend is the perfect time to clean out your cabinet, safely!

On Saturday, April 26th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with local health agencies for the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day. You can drive up and drop off unused or expired medications at two locations, the Muskingum County Health Department, or Riesbeck’s on June Parkway in South Zanesville.

“What this does is it provides a location for citizens in our county to bring unwanted, unneeded, unused, old, or outdated medications to a collection site and dispose of it in a proper way. A lot of times, people try to dispose of it in the trash, by flushing it down the toilet, or throwing it out in the woods. This is just a safer way of getting rid of the medications that’s not needed,” Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said.

This event helps combat prescription drug misuse and promotes safe disposal. For those unable to attend, remember there is a permanent medication drop-off box available all year round at the Muskingum County Jail.

“Leaving unwanted medications or outdated medications at your home is kind of inviting trouble. We’ve had cases where homes are broken into, and medications are stolen. We’ve had cases where friends and family members come over to visit and go to the bathroom to steal unwanted medications just laying around. So, getting that out of your possession is taking away that chance for somebody to do something like that,” Sheriff Lutz said.

If you’re looking to get rid of liquids or sharps, the Muskingum County Health Department is equipped to handle those safely.