Loveland Drug Task Force hosts two sites for DEA Rx Take Back Day

Loveland, Ohio – On Saturday, October 22, from 10 AM until 2 PM, the Loveland Drug Task Force, Loveland Police Department, PreventionFIRST! and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal at two sites in Loveland: 

• City of Loveland Safety Center- 126 S. Lebanon Rd.
• Loveland Elementary School (Drive thru area)- 600 Loveland-Madeira Rd.

Key points to the Rx Take Back Day: 

• No liquids, needles or sharps accepted.
• Free and anonymous service. No questions asked.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Loveland Drug Task Force to be a part of such an effective event,” said Loveland Drug Task Force Chair Cee Cee Collins. “We want the community to know the importance of this easy action step to getting opiates off the streets and reducing the potential for substance abuse and misuse.”

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (more than 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Loveland is one of several communities in the area participating in the DEA Rx Take Back Day.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Day event, visit the DEA Diversion website. For more information about the Loveland Drug Task Force, contact Cee Cee Collins at [email protected].