National Prescription Take Back Day Comes To Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, OH — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday. Residents will be able to dispose of their unneeded or unwanted medications at Lakewood Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“We know of many cases where leftover pain pills have led to an opioid addiction,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Properly disposing of these pills is one important step anyone can take to get involved in turning the tide on the opioid epidemic that has caused so much pain here in Ohio.”

The prescription drug drop-off is free and anonymous. Anyone is allowed to take part and dispose of their medications.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is organized by the DEA. The event is in its ninth year and the agency has collected nearly 11 million pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. There are approximately 6,000 collection sites nationwide, including Lakewood.

“Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families and friends,” said Acting DEA Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “Helping people keep their loved ones safe by disposing of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications is just one of many ways that DEA is working to break the cycle of addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country.”