Cleveland Hospitals Unite for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: What You Need to Know
CLEVELAND — In a joint effort to combat the opioid crisis and promote safe medication disposal, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic are hosting events across northeast Ohio this Saturday, April 22, for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can drop off unwanted or unused prescription medications at more than a dozen designated locations.
The initiative aims to provide a safe and convenient way for individuals to rid their homes of potentially harmful drugs. “Unused medications can pose serious risks if they fall into the wrong hands,” said Michael Carlin, vice president of Hospital Pharmacy Operations at University Hospitals. “This event empowers the community to take proactive steps in preventing misuse and overdose.”
In addition to accepting medications, University Hospitals’ take-back sites will offer free naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, while fentanyl test strips help detect the presence of the highly potent synthetic opioid in substances. These resources are part of a broader effort to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, which continues to devastate communities nationwide.
“Ensuring the public has access to safe disposal methods is critical in reducing accidental or deliberate misuse of medications,” said Lindsey Amerine, Pharm.D., chief pharmacy officer at Cleveland Clinic. “This event serves as an important reminder for individuals to check their medicine cabinets and remove any prescriptions that are no longer needed.”
Beyond medication disposal, University Hospitals’ Ahuja, Lake West, Portage, and TriPoint locations will provide complimentary glucose and blood pressure health screenings. These screenings offer an added opportunity for attendees to take charge of their health while participating in the Take Back Day event.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a biannual initiative led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Since its inception, the program has collected millions of pounds of unused medications, significantly reducing the risk of drug diversion and environmental contamination from improper disposal methods, such as flushing drugs down the toilet.
Community members are encouraged to bring prescription pills, patches, and pet medications to the event. Liquids, needles, and illicit drugs will not be accepted.
For those looking to participate, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic have provided detailed information about their respective locations and hours online. Residents can visit University Hospitals’ website or Cleveland Clinic’s pharmacy page for specific details.
This partnership underscores the critical role healthcare providers play in addressing public health challenges. By collaborating on initiatives like Drug Take Back Day, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic are setting an example for communities nationwide in the fight against opioid misuse and overdose.
— Reported by Nexio News
