CLEVELAND — University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic are working to reduce substance misuse by collecting unused or unwanted prescriptions on Oct 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A UH press release states substance misuse and unintentional overdose deaths continue as an epidemic across northeast Ohio and the nation.
According to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet.
University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic are partnering to collect unwanted prescriptions at 39 locations thoughout northeast Ohio. Locations of the collection sites can be found here.
“Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to abuse,” said Champ Burgess, chief pharmacy officer at UH. “Preventing substance misuse and overdose deaths are chief among northeast Ohio’s most pressing public health needs. Partnering for Drug Take-Back Day is just one example of how the collaborative alliance formed by University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic can move our region toward mitigating the opioid epidemic and reducing unintentional drug overdose deaths.”
Acceptable items to bring to Drug Take-Back Day include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and liquid medications in bottles (less than four ounces).
Illegal drugs, needles and syringes, medical devices and inhalers will not be accepted.
“The opioid epidemic continues to take a toll on our communities, and we are pleased to be working with University Hospitals on initiatives to curb this problem,” said Samuel Calabrese, chief pharmacy officer at Cleveland Clinic. “Drug Take-Back Days are important reminders to the public that there are safe and convenient ways to remove unused medications from the home. Our disposal kiosks are available on take-back days, and every day, and are a simple way to reduce the risk of accidental drug exposure and misuse.”
UH Ahuja, Lake West and TriPoint medical centers will offer free glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings during this event. Project DAWN, which provides free Narcan kits and opioid education, will also be present at all UH locations.
The public can dispose of unwanted medications at UH and Cleveland Clinic locations outside of this event.
