The last medication collection day was held a year ago, but from the dozens of expressions of gratitude, Marion County citizens were happy that local officials brought it back again for 2015.
Mother Nature helped by providing a blanket of sunshine as a combination of eight deputies and officers collected medication from the 226 cars that drove through. In total, over 384 pounds of pills and liquids were collected and taken to the DEA for proper disposal.
A partnership between the ADAMH Board, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion City Police Department and Marion County Recycling and Litter Prevention worked together to hold medication disposal days for the past five years. A change in the law last year that allowed pharmacies to collect medication put the spring collection on hold because the group was unsure there would be a need. However, multiple phone calls and requests made it clear that it was a popular and much needed event.
“We support this effort because we are keeping hundreds of pills and other drugs out of the hands of people, reducing the risk of overdose and keeping our water supply clean as well,” said Major Jay McDonald from the Marion Police Department.
Organizers issued thanks to sponsor’s like Marion General Hospital and Aqua Ohio. The hospital pharmacy department lent two pharmacy student interns to the effort – Amanda Dulon of the University of Findlay and Amanda Shigle of Ohio Northern University. Both young women spent hours identifying unmarked medication and controlled substances. For the second year in a row, Aqua Ohio supplied a hearty lunch for all the volunteers.
Jody Demo-Hodgins of the ADAMH board reported that there were a total of 228 prescription opiates collected. Of special note were the 89 Fentanyl patches collected.
“As many people are aware, Fentanyl played a role in the deadly overdoses Marion County experienced last spring,” said Demo-Hodgins. “It is so very important that they were properly disposed of so they couldn’t be diverted for illegal use.”
She further reported that an additional 32 other controlled substances were brought to the collection. To emphasize the importance of getting unused drugs out of homes, she reported that state data showed 87 deaths due to heroin overdose in the entire state in 2003. In 2014 that number climbed to 1,988 across the State of Ohio.
Major Aaron Corwin stated that fentanyl has been observed being mixed with other commonly abused drugs – specifically heroin, resulting in increased deaths. Corwin went on to say that fentanyl is a Schedule II synthetic narcotic and is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin – making it extremely deadly.
Carbetta states, “We are happy to participate because we know that nationally tons of medications are buried in landfills each year or flushed down toilets. This has a terrible impact on our water supply and landfill capacities. Events like this help the community as a whole, as well as the environment.”
Major McDonald also reminded those who dropped off medication that there are permanent disposal boxes for pills at both the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to drop off medication. You cannot leave liquids or sharps, but any pill based medication is appropriate to deposit.
Organizers note that this year’s effort surpassed past efforts both in the number of pounds and the number of people bringing in medication.
Demo-Hodgins reported that there were 27 overdose deaths in Marion County in 2014. Since the opiate epidemic started in Ohio in 2003, Marion County has lost 94 individuals to overdoses due to heroin and prescription opioids.
In response, the ADAMH Board started the Project DAWN overdose prevention classes to get naloxone/narcan into the hands of families and loved ones of those at risk to an overdose death. The next class is Monday, September 28, 2015. It is free and open to the public but individuals must pre-register by calling the ADAMH Board at: 740-387-8531. You need to leave your name and phone number to attend. Those completing the class get a fully equipped kit with two doses of naloxone.
Those interested in seeking treatment can call Marion Area Counseling Center at 740-387-5210 or Maryhaven at 740-375-5550.
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