Safe drug disposal options available in Richland County
MANSFIELD, OH — The Richland County Youth Substance Use Coalition is asking the public to help create a healthier community and prevent substance abuse by properly disposing of all unused or expired medications.
Properly disposing of medications is easy thanks to numerous prescription drug drop boxes available throughout the county. Many are located inside local pharmacies or near grocery stores, making them an easy and convenient stop while running errands. A full list is available below.
Richland Public Health is also offering free Deterra drug deactivation packets free of charge. Thesepouchescan be safely used at home by putting the medications in the pouch, filling it withwarm water, gently shaking the packet and throwing it in the trash.
The Deterra pouchesare an environmentally friendly option, since they decompose leaving virtually no waste behind.
Using a deactivation packet or secure drop box are the best ways to prevent harm to people or pets who may intentionally or unintentionally misuse a medication.
“Throwing away medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet are not safe for the environment and don’t actually deactivate them, meaning they can still be misused,” said Gurpinder Deol of Richland Public Health.
Free, safe locations for prescription drug disposal in Richland County are listed below.
Richland Public Health is also seeking community input on locations for additional prescription drug drop boxes to be placed in Richland County in the future. RPH hopes to increase access to proper disposal locations and reduce transportation barriers.
Please clickHEREto submit ideas for a new drop box location.
Free Deterra pouche sare available at the following locations. Residents are asked to fill out a brief, five-question anonymous survey before receiving a packet:
·Richland Public Health
oPlease call 419-774-4754 first
o555 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, OH 44907
·North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC)
oPlease call 419-522-1611 first
o134 N Main St, Mansfield, OH 44902
·Mansfield YMCA
o750 Scholl Rd, Mansfield, OH 44907
o419-522-3511
·Shelby YMCA
o111 W Smiley Rd, Shelby, OH 44875
o419-347-1312
·Third Street Family Health Services(http://www.tsfhs.org/)
oAll locations
·Mansfield/Richland County Public Library(https://www.mrcpl.org/locations)
oAll locations
o419-521-3100
·Area Agency on Aging
o2131 Park Ave W, Ontario, OH 44906
o419-524-4144
·419 Barbershop
o1367 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44906
o419-709-9172
·Styles N Motion
o410 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44906
o419-526-4247
·Starfish Project of Richland County
o9 N Mulberry St, Mansfield, OH 44902
o419-512-6878