Girard begins drug-disposal program

Staff report

GIRARD

City officials have started a program for safe disposal of unwanted prescription medication.

The Girard police and health departments are asking residents to bring unused pharmaceuticals to either agency, said health department commissioner James Dobson.

He said throwing medication in the garbage is not a safe or secure way of disposing potentially dangerous medications. By flushing pharmaceuticals, chemicals can eventually contaminate drinking water, he said.

Dobson believes the program offers another benefit. “The side effect is getting the opiates off the street,” he said.

Dobson said the program can stem the flow of prescription drug abuse. Offering a safe means of disposal will alleviate some stress on police. he said.

On Monday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a new effort to fight prescription drug abuse. According to a news release, “the pilot program will provide approximately 75 drop boxes to collect prescription drugs” to 24 counties. Although Trumbull is not one of them, Dobson said this area has similar problems and hopes the initiative will come to Girard.