Sheriff issues Drug Take Back reminder

VW County Sheriff’s information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach reminds county residents that his office will again be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day today. The Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to give county residents an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, while also helping prevent pill abuse and theft.

Residents can bring their pills or patches for disposal to the Sheriff’s Office at 113 N. Market St. at any time today. This is a free service and residents can remain anonymous when dropping off medications, no questions asked.

Sheriff Riggenbach advised that 51 pounds of prescription drugs were turned into the Sheriff’s Office in 2014. In all, 621 pounds of prescription drugs have been turned in since the beginning of this program 10 years ago.

“The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an initiative that addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” Sheriff Riggenbach said. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.”

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.  In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods of disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Sheriff Riggenbach also stated as part of this initiative that his office will continue to accept prescription medications from residents throughout the year. The sheriff is encouraging everyone to turn in expired or no-longer-needed prescription drugs at the Sheriff’s Office.