Mercy Health – Youngstown is participating in the annual Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, April 30, which offers the community an opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired medication.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. For more information, visit www.dea.gov….
While it is a nationwide initiative, the day is made possible locally through the partnership of area police, municipal and health care organizations. (See other participating organizations below.)
Mercy Health – Youngstown offers access to a medication drop box 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week in the Emergency Department waiting room at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, Mercy Health – St. Joseph Warren Hospital and Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital. Since July of last year, more than 160 pounds of medications were collected from Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.
“Medications are an important part of our patients’ health care journey, but we need to make sure that once these medications are no longer needed, they are disposed of properly to ensure the safety of others and of our environment,” said John Sorboro, MD, ABPN, head addiction medicine services physician for Mercy Health – Youngstown. “Drug Take Back Day is a good reminder of the responsibility we all have in making sure medications are disposed of correctly.”
“We are proud to join other organizations throughout the community to ensure that area residents have a means to properly and lawfully dispose of medications in a safe way,” added Dr. Sorboro. “Our hospitals will serve as a medication drop off location on Drug Take Back Day and throughout the year as well.”
Items left in the receptacles are kept secure and confidential. Note that while some prefer to remove the label, it is not required. Additionally, experts caution that unwanted or expired medications should never be flushed as it is harmful to the environment. Medication take-back programs provide a disposal option that is safe and environmentally friendly.
Additional tips on what to consider when dropping off medications:
- Accepted medications include vitamins, pills and pet medications. The hospital system cannot accept needles, inhalers, liquids, lotions, aerosols, ointments and creams.
- While many use this service for their own medications, it’s also helpful for families and caregivers who need a safe place to dispose of medications.
Mercy Health – Youngstown is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. For more information, visit www.mercy.com….
Additional drop-off locations
National Take Back Day occurs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30.
Mahoning County
- Austintown Police Department. 92 Ohltown Road, Austintown 44515.
- Beaver Police Department. front lobby, 601 W. South Range Road, North Lima 44452.
- Boardman Police Department. 8299 Market St., Boardman 44512.
- Canfield Police Department. 104 Lisbon St., Canfield 44406.
- Sebring Police Department. 135 E. Ohio Ave. No. 1, Sebring 44672.
- Springfield Township Police Department. 3475 E. South Range Road, New Springfield 44443.
- YSU Police Department. 266 W. Wood St., Youngstown 44502.
Trumbull County
- Bazetta Township Police Department. 2671 McCleary Jacoby Road, Cortland 44410.
- Hubbard Police Department. 220 W. Liberty St., Hubbard 44425.
- Liberty Township Police Department. Liberty Township Government Building, 1315 Churchill Hubbard Road, Liberty 44505.
- Youngstown Air Reserve Station/USAF. 3976 King Graves Road, Vienna 44473.
Other
- Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. 12450 Merritt Road, Chardon 44024.
- Neshannock Township Police Department. 3135 Mercer Road, New Castle, Pa. 16105.
- New Castle Police Department. 303 E North St, New Castle, Pa. 16101.
- SRMC Professional Services Building, 2094 E. State St., Salem 44460. Across from Salem Regional Medical Center.
Source: www.dea.gov…
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