Liberty installs drop box for old, unwanted drugs
Staff Report
LIBERTY
Township administra- tors and police have added a new tool in the fight to rid the community of unwanted prescription drugs.
The township has placed a drop box for pharmaceuticals at police headquarters and administration building on Church Hill-Hubbard Road, so residents can dispose of unwanted prescription medications.
Trustee Jodi Stoyak said the township recently received a grant, which included the box, from the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators. According to their website, the group is a “nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, health care professionals, state regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical manufactures in the investigation and prevention of prescription drug abuse and diversion.”
Stoyak said she was approached by residents less than a year ago about a place to properly dispose of medication. Stoyak then talked to Police Chief Richard J. Tisone before he sent a letter to the NADDI requesting a drop box. The organization approved the request, and the box was delivered to the administration building two weeks ago. Stoyak credits the residents’ concern, along with Tisone’s efforts, with improving the community’s fight against prescription pill abuse.
“It’s local government operating at its best,” she said.
Tisone said the drop box is open to all residents and is not limited to pharmaceuticals. Residents from around the area can dispose of illegal substances with anonymity, he said.
Tisone also wants residents to know that flushing medication is not safe. Chemicals from pharmaceuticals can find their way into drinking water sources, he said.
“We’ve provided a safe way to discard potentially dangerous material,” he said.
NADDI has another prescription drop box in Newton Falls.
Tisone said all medications will be removed from the box regularly and destroyed.