COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Public Health, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and other agencies will take part in National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday to help people safely dispose of their medication.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office will host events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at eight Kroger locations:
- 55 W. Schrock Road, Westerville
- 300 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna
- 4656 Cemetery Road, Hilliard
- 6095 Gender Road, Canal Winchester
- 3637 S. High St., Columbus
- 7100 Hospital Dr., Dublin
- 1375 Chambers Road, Columbus
- 6580 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg
The drive-thru event at Columbus Public Health will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave.
To find other collection sites, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/.
"Columbus Public Health will accept unwanted, unneeded or expired prescriptions, needles/sharps and over-the-counter pills, patches, vitamins and pet medications. (To protect volunteers, please make sure syringes are secured in a puncture-resistant container.) Liquids of any kind, gel caps, aerosol cans, thermometers and inhalers will not be accepted," said Kelli Newman, a spokeswoman for Columbus Public Health.
Free Narcan, a drug overdose reversal life-saving medication, will be available for anyone who wants it, Newman said.
Participants do not have to get out of their vehicles to drop off the medication, but instead, they can just drive-through and hand out the items and drive away, she said.
"It is important to properly discard medicines that are no longer used or needed. Drugs can be abused in the home and flushing them poses the threat of chemicals entering lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water," Newman said.
Permanent medicine collection sites also are available year-round. To find a drop-off location near you, click here.