Over 170 vehicles stopped by the 5th local Medication Disposal Day on Saturday to drop off pills, liquids and sharps/syringes. Among the medications were 106 bottles of opiate-based prescriptions and a variety of other drugs like Xanax, Soma and Ritalin – all highly abused medications.
The day was a collaborative effort among Marion County Recycling and Litter Prevention, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion General Hospital, Marion Police Department and the Crawford-Marion ADAMH Board.
Angela Carbetta, Director of Recycling and Litter Prevention, noted that a wide range of items were turned in including liquids, syringes and needles, pills, medicated gel and patches.
“Outdated and unused medication poses a danger in your home, and when improperly discarded, contaminates our soil and water supplies with a dangerous blend of chemicals,” said Carbetta. “We are happy that people took the time to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of items properly.”
Saturday’s collection took place in the parking lot of the Marion County Building. Law enforcement officers from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Marion City Police Department collected the medication while volunteers from Marion’s Lost Promise, the ADAMH board and Marion Area Counseling Center distributed educational material to those bringing in medications. All medicine will be sent to a waste facility for secure incineration.
Major Aaron Corwin of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, “This event is an important way to remind people that they can dispose of medication safely. We also want everyone to know we have permanent medication collection boxes at the Sheriff’s Office and the Marion City Police Department. They are available 365 days a year for people to drop off unused prescription pills.”
Corwin further stated that prescription medications represent a significant drug threats in the community, along with heroin, cocaine and other substances. Opiate based medication like oxycodone is highly abused. Jody Demo-Hodgins of the ADAMH board agreed and said that on average 6 people die every day in Ohio from opiate based drug overdose.
In Marion County in 2012, there were 16 opiate related overdose deaths. Because drug diversion represents the primary way that people who abuse prescription pain medication get their drugs, take back events are important. In fact, 70 percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers obtain the drugs from friends or relatives, sometimes with permission. This is considered drug diversion and contributes to a growing health and safety problem.
In 2012, there were enough opiate based prescriptions filled in Marion County to give every man, woman and child 76 pills.
“Often, people think of heroin when they think of opiates,” said Demo-Hodgins. “When having a prescription drug drop we can remind them that codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone and fentanyl are also opiate based. They are highly effective pain relievers but very addictive.”
Carbetta and Demo-Hodgins expressed their appreciation for the involvement of MARMET and local police, sharing that the event would not be possible without them.
All three Marion County Commissioners, Dan Russell, Ken Stiverson and Andy Appelfeller, spent much of the day at the event helping with literature distribution, recycling of plastic and cardboard and showing their appreciation to law enforcement and organizers.
“We want to thank all the people who took the time to drop off their medication. Special thanks to organizers Angie, Jody, Aaron and Dan Sheridan as well as volunteers Cari Newton and pharmacist Dan Sheridan of Marion General hospital and the Marion’s Lost Promise group,” said Appelfeller.
Carbetta said that during the recent downtown cleanup for Earth Day, several volunteers encountered needles and syringes. She said “While we all have different reasons for doing this such as environmental concerns, addiction problems and drug-related crime but ultimately we know that prescription drugs account for about seventy-five percent of all overdose deaths in the United States.”
The plastic and cardboard containers will be recycled by MARCA Document Destruction and Recycling with identities protected. The team estimates that they recycled about 50 pounds of plastic and 120 pounds of cardboard.
The next county wide drop off is set for October of this year but event organizers want to remind people that they can bring pills to the Marion Police Department or Marion County Sheriff’s Office at any time.
You can view more photos from the event by clicking here.
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