Library assists Anti-Drug Coalition with prescription disposal
The Deterra Drug Deactivation System bags were provided to the library by the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition, which purchased them with a grant received from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.
Unwanted and leftover prescription medications can be a burden to anyone, old or young. Through a partnership with the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition, the Tuscarawas County Public Library System offers free prescription drug deactivation bags at all five of its library locations.
The Deterra Drug Deactivation System bags were provided to the library by the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition, which purchased them with a grant received from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. County residents can pick up a bag from any of the county library’s five locations in New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek or Tuscarawas.
“We’ve reached out to a number of agencies and officials who come in contact with our residents who can use these bags to help get unused medications out of circulation,” Jodi Salvo of Personal & Family Counseling Services and the Anti-Drug Coalition said. “This in-home deactivation should remove even more potentially dangerous medications and prescriptions from potential abuse.”
The bags can hold up to 45 pills, 6 ounces of liquid or six patches at one time. At home, users simply place unused medications in the bag’s pouch, fill it halfway with warm tap water, seal tightly, shake and throw in the trash. The deactivation bag destroys the medication and makes it safe to dispose of in regular trash.
“We are happy to be able to provide this service to our community with the assistance of the Anti-Drug Coalition,” said Michelle McMorrow Ramsell, director of the Tuscarawas County Public Library System. “With the opioid epidemic happening throughout the state and country, we are happy to be able to do our part to help keep dangerous drugs off the street and prevent them from being abused.”
According to Ramsell, anyone wanting to obtain a Deterra bag simply needs to ask for one at any service desk at any of the five library locations, no questions asked. Staff will provide the free bag with an attached anonymous survey from the Anti-Drug Coalition.
For questions about library pick-up, call the Main Library at 330-364-4474 ext. 101. Details about the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition can be found online at www.adc-tusc.com.