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Drop-off program gets ‘pounds of pills’ out of Poland
POLAND
Township residents disposed of roughly 100 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications at the township’s drug drop-off box in 2015, police Chief Brian Goodin reported to the board of trustees Wednesday.
The police department is looking into ways to dispose of the drugs. The township began its drug-disposal program last spring, when a drop-off box – paid for with grant funding – was added to the township government building on Dobbins Road.
There, residents can dispose of the following items between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the lobby: prescriptions, prescription patches, prescription medications, prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples and medications for pets.
Accepted medications include noncontrolled drugs and schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances.
Thermometers, hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, aerosol cans, lotions or liquids, medication from businesses or clinics and needles are not accepted.
The disposal of the accepted items likely will represent some cost to the township, but trustees said Wednesday that it’s well worth it, as the program aims to help curb prescription drug abuse.
“There really isn’t a price tag on saving a life,” Trustee Eric Ungaro said. “We just got 100 pounds of pills out of Poland.”
In other business, the board voted to donate $3,000 to the Poland Historical Society, a contribution it has made each year for some time.
Leaders of the historical society briefed the board on some ongoing projects, such as an effort to restore the windows at its headquarters at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Center Road. The society is working to secure funding for that project, the estimated cost of which is $10,000.
The historical society will unveil two new state historical markers this year; one honoring the schoolhouse will be dedicated in April, and another honoring the village town hall and incorporation of the village will be dedicated in June.
Donations from the village and the township, as well as grant money from the state, helped pay for the new markers.
The board expressed support for the historical society’s efforts.
“I think what you guys do is great. The Little Red Schoolhouse is part of our history,” Trustee Bob Lidle said.