ASHLAND — The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County is proud to participate in The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The annual event, sponsored by the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration, aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. In 2019, the event saw 6,174 collection sites throughout the country with a total of 441.5 tons of medications recovered.
Proper drug disposal is a major key to preventing prescription drug abuse, such as opioids. It also decreases drug-related crimes, reduces incidents of accidental poisoning in the home, and prevents water pollution.
The Mental Health and Recovery Board purchased two prescription drug drop boxes through NADDI (National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators). These boxes are located at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department and Loudonville Police Department and are available to receive drop-offs of both prescription and over-the-counter medications during normal business hours.
In recognition of National Drug Take Back Day, and to help build public awareness of proper drug disposal, the Ashland Sheriff’s Department will be collecting drugs on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About Ashland Mental & Health Recovery Board
The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County administers the public mental health and addictions service system in Ashland County. The board provides funding and conducts the planning and evaluation activities for services provided primarily by Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ACCADA) and Catholic Charities Services of Ashland. The board prioritizes services that 1) are trauma-informed, 2) promote resiliency and recovery and 3) promote a conservative approach to the use of medication using principles of Medication Optimization.
