MHARS Board offers medication disposal pouches free by mail
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The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is offering free Safe Medication Disposal Pouches by mail to residents of Lorain County, until June 5, 2020, or as supplies last.
“Since most of us are home due to precautions for COVID-19, we can use this time to assess the safety of our own medicine cabinets,” says Jinx Mastney, Opioid Response Outreach Coordinator for the MHARS Board. “Old and unused prescriptions and medications can be dangerous if left around the house.”
A Safe Medication Disposal Pouch “deactivates” drugs, rendering them inert and safe for disposal through regular home trash. Disposing of medication safely prevents misuse, or accidental exposure by children or pets.
The MHARS Board is offering the pouches free by mail within Lorain County in response to COVID-19.
Mastney notes that the public has less access to typical medication-collection spots. Twice a year, during National Drug Takeback Days, the MHARS Board promotes ways and places to dispose of drugs that can be dangerous or misused. This April’s Drug Takeback Day is postponed because of the novel coronavirus, but Mastney says that the MHARS Board is still making safety options available to the public.
Also, the national Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) launched a “Secure Your Meds” safety campaign in lieu of Drug Takeback Day, with social media messages to share at takebackday.dea.gov or the MHARS Facebook page at facebook.com/mharsloraincounty.
“Protecting the health and safety of our communities is DEA’s top priority, especially during the unprecedented public health emergency,” DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon stated in a release. “With Americans at home, families need to be even more vigilant and keep prescription medications safe, secure, and out of reach of children and others in the household.”
For a free disposal pouch, please contact Mastney at 440-282-9920 or [email protected].
The MHARS Board serves as the local authority for community mental health and substance use services. The Board is the county agency responsible for the planning, evaluation and funding of needed programs and facilities for addiction and mental health services.
