Drug Take Back Day events scheduled for April 27

Several Drug Take Back events are scheduled between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, April 27 in Gallia, Jackson and Meigs Counties. This biannual event invites all individuals to bring expired, unused, or unneeded medications for safe disposal. These sites will accept drugs intended for human or animal use. This is an excellent opportunity to gain education from groups that organize this event, decrease the risks of drug abuse and accidental misuse, and better the health of your community.

The event mirrors the DEA National Drug Take Back Day Program, which began in September of 2010. Since then, the DEA reports collecting over 15 million pounds of drugs through these take back events. The local events in Gallia, Jackson and Meigs over five years have collected over 1,200 pounds of drugs. The local sites serve as a disposal site for sharps (lancets and needles) as well as drugs with no questions asked.

These collection sites could not happen without the volunteer efforts of: Gallia County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson Sheriff’s Department, Jackson Police Department, Meigs sheriff’s Department, Holzer Health System, Hopewell Health, Gallia/Jackson/Meigs County Health Departments, Alcohol, Drug Addiction, Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, Donna McNerlin’s team at Howard Hannah Real Estate, Gallia HOPE, Jackson SPARC, and Meigs County Prevention Coalition.

The collection locations will be the Holzer Center for Cancer Care Parking Lot in Gallia County, Park’s Edge Parking Lot on Main Street in Jackson County, and Powell’s Food Fair parking lot in Pomeroy for Meigs County.

If you are unable to make it to one of these sites and need drug disposal, collection bins are available year-round at each county sheriff’s department. You may also request Deterra Drug Deactivation bags from the ADAMH Board or local health departments.

For any additional questions, contact info@holzer.org.