CINCINNATI — Keeping with the message of National Drug Take Back Day, several of the city's primary care centers are now equipped with prescription drug drop boxes, the health department announced Monday.
Health Commissioner Melba Moore said the boxes allow for a responsible means of disposing of unneeded or expired prescription drugs.
“We believe that the easy access to the drug take back boxes will be yet another drug abuse prevention measure to help curb the addiction crisis,” Moore said in a written statement.
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday at the Northside Health Center.
Our new Assistant Health Commissioner Domonic Hopson unveiled our new drug drop box at Northside Health Center. Using medication responsibly and disposing responsibly is a primary prevention technique to curb addiction. pic.twitter.com/5bgsNcQggs
— Cincinnati Health (@cincihealthdept) April 29, 2019
The organization PreventionFIRST! worked with city officials to purchase the prescription drop boxes through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health.
“Many homes have unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications,” said Mary Haag, president and CEO of PreventionFIRST! “When these medicines are no longer needed, they should be disposed of promptly and safely to reduce the chance of someone accidentally or intentionally misusing these medications.”
The drop boxes are available to the public year-round. The service is free and drop-offs can remain anonymous.
The boxes are currently available for use at three locations:
- Northside Health Center: 3917 Spring Grove Ave.
- Price Hill Health Center: 2136 W. 8th St.
- Bobbie Sterne Health Center: 1525 Elm St.
A fourth box will be installed at the Braxton Cann Health Center on Madison Road later this summer, and a fifth at the new Avondale health center which is currently under construction on Reading Road, a news release said.
Click here for a complete list of Cincinnati health center locations and hours.
Last month, the health department also launched Safe Places Cincy, to help link those seeking addiction treatment to area resources or hospitals with help from a “strike force team.”
