Zanesville Hosts Take-Back Day

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day. In Zanesville, an event organized by the Muskingum County Behaviorial Center, the DEA, Northside Pharmacies and Genesis Healthcare.

Health Commissioner Corey Hamilton says even turning-over over-the-counter medications is helpful.

“Anybody – anybody that has drugs in their medicine cupboard at home that they’re not using. It’s always safer to dispose of them than to keep them hanging around – even if they seem like they’re harmless over-the-counter medications. You should definitely dispose of them when you’re not using them anymore.”

Last year, the program took in over 240 pounds of drugs during take-back days. Experts say checking your cabinets for medications you no longer need should be routine.

“I think we tell people when you’re changing your batteries in your smoke detectors that’s a good time to look at your medicine cabinet – just so you’re doing that a couple of times a year and gathering that stuff up and bringing it to us at the next take back – or dropping them off at another disposal location in between.”

The event accepted over the counter tablets, capsules, liquids, injectibles, needles, and intravenous soulutions. This was also the first National Drug Take Back Day that accepted vape pens and products.