Blue Ash, Ohio (4/20/2017) – On Saturday, April 29^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Blue Ash Police Department will accept potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs in collaboration with the National Drug Take Back Day initiative. Anyone can bring pills for disposal to the Blue Ash Municipal & Safety Center parking lot at 4343 Cooper Road during the event. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, the DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills. 

This National Drug Take Back Day initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Unused medications kept in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, visit www.dea.gov.