Sheriffs deputies and volunteers collected 332 pounds of prescription drugs between two locations during the October 26th National Drug Takeback Day. (Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office) 

Tuscarawas County, Ohio - Local leaders are pleased with the results of the prescription drug collection held recently at the two Tuscarawas County hospitals.  

On Saturday, October 27th, the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition partnered with the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District and the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office to host prescription drug collections at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital and Trinity Hospital Twin City. 

The collection was held in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take-Back Day to give area residents a way to dispose of unwanted or unneeded medications in a safe and confidential manner. 

During the four-hour event, 332 pounds of medications were collected between the two hospitals. Nationally, 4,770 law enforcement agencies participated in the October takeback day, collecting a total of 914,236 pounds, or just over 457 tons.

In a social media post, Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell expressed his gratitude to the sponsors and hosts of the collection.

“Our prescription drug take-back day brought in 332 pounds of unwanted pills that will never have a chance to be abused,” he wrote.

He also reminded citizens about the county’s six permanent collection sites where medications can be dropped off anonymously year-round. Medications can be dropped off at the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office and the Strasburg, Sugarcreek, Newcomerstown, New Philadelphia and Dennison police departments.

In addition, the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition also makes Deterra drug deactivation bags available to area schools, agencies, community organizations and businesses. 

Anti-Drug Coalition Coordinator Jodi Salvo says the bags are just another way the organization is working to promote the safe disposal of drugs within the community.

“These bags are very helpful. You can put unwanted or unused medication in there and it deactivates the drugs, and it also is biodegradable” she says. 

For more information, contact the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition at 330-440-7319.

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV