Residents can finally clean out their medicine cabinets during a local medication disposal event Oct. 3 at Dublin Methodist Hospital, 75 Hospital Drive.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,  provides a safe and legal way to dispose of expired and unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It is hosted by Dublin Police in conjunction with Dublin Methodist and Cardinal Health. 

"This event gives our community a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of these drugs, no questions asked," says Dublin Police Sgt. Rod Barnes. "It also raises awareness about the responsibility that comes with having prescription and over-the-counter medicine in the home. While these medications are of great benefit to those who are meant to take them they can do great harm to others, particularly our young people."

Other agencies involved in this event include: OhioHealth; Columbus Division of Police; Delaware Police Department; Franklin County Sheriff's Office; and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Ohio Chapter.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.ohiohealth.com/landingtop.cfm?id=4414&fr=true.

DID YOU KNOW?

Statistics from the Ohio Department of Health show the unlawful and unauthorized use of expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications has become a major issue statewide. For example:
• Approximately 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time every day.
• More than 26 percent of high school students have reported using prescription medicine without authorization from a doctor.
• Almost all (96 percent) of unintentional drug poisoning deaths are because of drugs and medications.
• More people die from unintentional medication poisoning than from motor vehicle crashes and suicides combined.