Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals to host Drug Take-Back Day events

CLEVELAND — University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic are partnering up to host Drug Take-Back Day events at 29 locations across northeast Ohio on Saturday. 

The day allows people to drop off unwanted or unused medication, both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. 

“When medicines sit unused for a long time at home, it’s more likely someone they’re not intended for will discover them and misuse them,” said Michael Carlin, senior director of pharmacy, business operations and logistical management at UH. “Joining for Drug Take-Back Day is just one example of how the collaborative partnership formed by University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic can make a difference by combining resources and addressing challenges together.”

National surveys have shown those who misuse prescription drugs often get them from family and friends, according to the hospital systems.

Additionally, all UH take-back sites will host Project DAWN, which provides naloxone kits — the overdose-reversal drug — and fentanyl testing strips. 

For more information about UH event times and locations, click here. For the Cleveland Clinic disposal locations and hours, click here.

Acceptable items include:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Liquid medication in bottles (less than 4 ounces) — package bottles in a Ziploc bag

Items that won’t be accepted include:

• Illegal or “street” drugs
• Needles, syringes or sharps containers
• Medical devices and batteries
• Aerosol cans and inhalers
• Mercury-containing devices
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Liquid antineoplastic (chemo) agents

Aside from drug disposal sites, UH Ahuja, Geauga, Lake West, Portage and TriPoint medical centers will offer glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings at no cost during Saturday’s events as part of efforts to keep the community healthy.