Cuyahoga County Issues Rx Drug Drop Box Challenge

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, in observance of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, issued an Rx Drug Drop Box Challenge, encouraging residents to safely dispose of their unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications. The yearlong challenge aims to double the pounds of drugs collected in 2016 (10,112 pounds).

“The Rx Drug Drop Box Challenge serves as a reminder that we all can help curb opioid abuse by removing old prescriptions from our households,” said Budish. “As the number of overdose continue to rise, we must continue to do more to fight this epidemic.”

With more than 40 locations available, residents can drop of their unused, unwanted, or expired medications in one the Rx Drug Drop Boxes located at law enforcement agencies. Benefits to disposing of your unwanted and expired medications through an Rx Drop Box include the following:

• Helps to curb the misuse and abuse of prescription medications, such as opioids
• Raises awareness about the risks involved with leaving prescription medications in a household
• Environmentally friendly disposal process

All prescription medications can be dropped off, with the exception of liquids, needles, or illicit drugs.

Additionally, a local locking storage solution company, Vaultz, has donated over 250 of their locking medicine cases to select Rx Drug Drop Box locations, as an incentive to participate in the challenge.

“Anyone with prescription opioids can help keep their loved ones safe by simply locking up their medication. Vaultz is thrilled to partner with Cuyahoga County to make that happen and reduce these tragedies,” said Vince Thomson, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Vaultz.

Residents are encouraged to sign our “Challenge Pledge”, and bring it to one of the select locations with their prescription medications:

• Cleveland Heights Police Department; 40 Severance Circle; Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

• Lakewood Police Department; 12650 Detroit Avenue; Lakewood, OH 44107

• North Olmsted Police Department; 27243 Lorain Road; North Olmsted, OH 44070

• Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department; 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113

• Parma Safety Fair; 5555 Powers Boulevard, Parma, OH 44129; (April 29^th | 11am – 2pm)

The Rx Drug Drop Box Challenge is part of the ongoing Know the Risks campaign, a collaborative partnership between communications and media professionals to fight the opioid epidemic. For more information or to download the pledge, please visit: KnowtheRx.org.