Area authorities and community leaders are calling on residents to dispose of old or expired medications on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27 to help curb prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning.

“Drugs that are sitting around in homes, unsecured, that are expired or have no future use serve no purpose,” Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre said. “To the homeowner, it can only lead to bad things happening to young children or someone that doesn't have any idea what the drugs are, causing severe medical problems or even deaths.”

The effort is sponsored by the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, Sylvania Prevention Alliance, and area law enforcement agencies.

“By limiting access to old medications, we can decrease the chance of accidental poisoning by children or seniors,” said Torri Daggett, Sylvania Prevention Alliance executive director. “This will help curb drug abuse in our area, as a great number of teens and adults first start by experimenting with old prescriptions found in friends' or family's medicine cabinets.”

Sylvania Prevention Alliance is a nonprofit with a mission “to offer families the knowledge, guidance, and encouragement needed to navigate this challenging time,” according to the group’s website.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about potential for abuse of medications, according to the U.S. Justice Department/Drug Enforcement Administration.

Those wishing to drop off syringes, inhalers, liquid medication, or ointments/lotions are advised to call ahead to verify if their preferred location will take those items.

Lucas County drug take-back locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at the following locations:

• Kroger stores at 4633 Suder Ave., 2555 Glendale Ave., 2257 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd., 7059 Orchard Centre Dr. in Springfield Township, and at 7545 W. Sylvania Ave. in Sylvania
• Northwest District Police Station, 2330 W. Sylvania Ave.
• Scott Park District Police Station, 2301 Nebraska Ave.
• Waterville Police Department, 25 N. Second St, Waterville
• Maumee Police Division, 109 E. Dudley St., Maumee (use the Gibbs Street entrance)
• Ottawa Hills Police Department, 2125 Richards Rd., Ottawa Hills
• Oregon Police Division, 5330 Seaman Rd., Oregon
• Springfield Township Fire Station 53, 7145 Garden Rd.
• Swanton Municipal Building, 219 Chestnut St., Swanton

First Published April 14, 2024, 2:24 p.m.