Drop-off program targets unused, expired medicine

By Elise Franco

The program teaches residents the proper way to dispose of prescription drugs.

AUSTINTOWN — Mahoning County residents will have a place to safely dispose of unused or expired drugs starting this summer.

Jeff Toth, Austintown Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer, has teamed up with the Mahoning County Green Team to organize a pharmaceutical take-back program.

Toth said the program begins June 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Austintown Police Department and will run every last Wednesday of every month.

“This will help get people on a regular schedule so they know to bring in their unused pills each month,” he said.

Jim Petuch, Green Team department head, said only pharmaceutical medications will be accepted.

He said any liquids must be in a plastic or glass bottle, and pills have to be in a sturdy plastic bag. Restrictions include needles, syringes and illegal controlled substances such as heroin, LSD and marijuana.

Toth said every drop-off is anonymous, and the only thing recorded will be the number of pills or amount of liquid.

“They can literally drive up, drop off their prescriptions and leave,” he said.

The reason this kind of program is important is so that residents learn to properly dispose of their prescription drugs, Petuch said.

“One of the worst things is putting them down the drain or in the toilet because it contaminates the water,” he said. “We have an opportunity this summer where folks can bring these outdated or unneeded products, and they can be safely disposed of by the Austintown Police Department. It is a service we need to provide to the community.”

Toth said all drop-off materials will be put into a biohazard container, and at the end of each drive, the drugs will be stored in the department’s evidence locker until they’re destroyed.

“We dispose of the property by burning it,” he said. “It’s all destroyed a few times per year.”

Petuch said Austintown is the first community in the area to organize a drop-off, but he hopes to see others follow suit.

“I congratulate Austintown for approaching me and wanting to do this drive,” he said.

efranco@vindy.com