Free kits provided to safely dispose of unwanted, unused drugs
The Buckeye Hills Regional Council will distribute kits and information to promote safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
Through a partnership with Recovery Ohio, the Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), and the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative of Ohio (RALI Ohio), disposal bags will be provided to older Ohioans with guidance on the safe disposal of drugs, especially opioid medicines, that are no longer used or are outdated. RALI Ohio is providing supplies of disposal bags to each AAA region at no cost.
“Safe storage of currently used medications and disposal of unwanted drugs can reduce substance misuse in our communities,” said Alisha Nelson, Director of Recovery Ohio. “Recovery experts say that for some people, addiction started at home, when drugs prescribed for someone else were taken from a medicine cabinet and misused.”
“This initiative will encourage senior citizens and their families to look through the medicines they have, whether at a senior living complex or in their homes, and throw out unused drugs in a safe manner,” said Larke Recchie, Chief Executive Officer for the Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “Regrettably, the pandemic has not slowed down the rate of overdose and opioid misuse in our communities. Safe disposal of unused drugs is a way everyone can help in the effort to help communities respond to addiction.”
RALI Ohio has made this donation at the same time many senior housing centers are hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
“We are proud to bring vaccines to the front door of those living in affordable senior housing centers across the state, a critical mission to ensure equity and access to Ohioans who might not otherwise have a chance to get vaccinated, whether their barrier is location, mobility, or access to care and education about the vaccine,” said Ursel J. McElroy, Ohio Department of Aging Director. “As older Ohioans wait for their vaccine, or are in observation just after receiving the vaccine, this presents an opportunity to provide a disposal kit, along with information on the importance of safe disposal.”
“Buckeye Hills Regional Council does an outstanding job in serving our seniors and people with disabilities, said Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Athens). “Their efforts to encourage safe drug disposal is another good service for our citizens.”
More than 22,000 disposal kits have been sent to these AAA regional locations:
- Council on Aging Southwest Ohio
- AAA of West Central Ohio
- AAA of Lima
- Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio (Toledo)
- Ohio District 5 AAA (North central Ohio)
- Central Ohio AAA
- AAA District 7 (Rio Grande, Central Southeast and Southern Ohio)
- Buckeye Hills Regional Council (Marietta, Southeast Ohio)
- AAA Region 9 (Cambridge, Eastern Ohio)
- Western Reserve AAA (Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio)
- Direction Home Akron Canton
- Direction Home Eastern Ohio (Youngstown)
Misty Crosby, Executive Director for Buckeye Hills Regional Council, said, “Our agency helps local seniors every day to maintain their health and wellbeing. Providing safe drug disposal kits is another way we can assist our clients to stay safe in their homes.”
The disposal bags provide a safe way to throw away unused prescription medications. The bags can hold pills, liquids, or patches and after adding water, the pouch is sealed and can be disposed of safely in a household trash can. The medicine is deactivated and unable to be misused.
RALI Ohio is a diverse alliance of medical and patient groups, addiction prevention and education organizations, recovery providers, and advocates. RALI Ohio offers educational resources from national and Ohio-based experts. Visit ralioh.org for more information.
About RALI Ohio: The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Ohio is an alliance of local, state, and national organizations committed to addressing the epidemic of substance misuse in the state through support for effective education, prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is a council of governments dedicated to improving the lives of residents in southeast Ohio and is one of Ohio’s twelve Area Agencies on Aging, responding to the needs of older adults. Buckeye Hills Regional Council provides education, information, and referral services while also working with the public and private sectors to help older adults in southeast Ohio with home and community-based long-term care.
To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, and for assistance, and referral services, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 1-800-331-2644 (toll free), or email info@buckeyehills.org.