For Immediate Release
April 8, 2011
Dublin to participate in Medication Disposal Day
(DUBLIN, Ohio) - The Dublin Division of Police is partnering with Dublin Methodist Hospital for the third Medication Disposal Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Dublin Methodist Hospital, 7500 Hospital Drive.
Among adolescents, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the frequently abused drugs, following marijuana (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2010).
"Dublin Police will be present at the event to answer questions and provide information on strategies to safely store medications, and prevent misuse and abuse,” said Sgt. Rod Barnes. “Participating in this initiative is a natural extension of the division's efforts to keep Dublin safe."
Since 2007, more Ohioans have died from unintentional drug overdoses than in car accidents. The current death rate is more than four times the mortality rate of the “black tar” heroin epidemic of the 1970s and three times that of the crack cocaine crisis of the 1990s (Ohio Department of Health).
According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs.
The day is dedicated to prescription medication abuse and misuse awareness. Local law enforcement, including Dublin Police will provide safe and legal medication disposal at seven facilities across Central Ohio.
Dublin Methodist Hospital will be accepting expired and unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
Medication Disposal Day is in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
For more information
Contact: Megan Canavan at 614.410.4504 | 614.327.6827 | mcanavan@dublin.oh.us | Twitter: @dublinohio
Download: Prescription For Disaster Brochure