Dozens of locations will collect unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
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Substance misuse and accidental overdose deaths continue as an epidemic across Northeast Ohio and the nation. Most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet, according to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Unused or expired medications are best disposed of at an official disposal location. As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 22, University Hospitals (UH) and Cleveland Clinic are partnering to host collection efforts at 34 locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
“When unused medicines sit for a long time at home, they’re more likely to be abused,” said Michael Carlin, Senior Director of Pharmacy, Business Operations and Logistical Management at UH. “Substance misuse and overdose deaths plague our Northeast Ohio communities. Partnering for Drug Take-Back Day is just one example of how the collaborative partnership formed by University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic can move our region toward addressing the opioid epidemic and reduce unintentional drug overdose deaths.”
This event gives the public an easy way to rid their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.
“We offer drug disposal kiosks year-round, but drug take-back days are important reminders for everyone to check their cabinets for unused or expired medications,” said Samuel Calabrese, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “We know that unused medications have the potential for abuse, and this is a simple way to help curb misuse. The opioid epidemic continues to take a serious toll on our communities, and we are pleased to continue to work with University Hospitals on ways to combat this problem.”
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In addition, as part of overall efforts to keep the community healthy, UH Ahuja, Geauga, Lake West, and TriPoint medical centers will offer no-cost glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings during this event. Project DAWN, which provides free Narcan kits and opioid education, will also be present at all UH locations.
Many of these locations are open year-round and the public can safely dispose of medications outside of this one-day event. Click here to visit UH’s year-round prescription drug collection sites. Cleveland Clinic also has disposal sites across Northeast Ohio. Information about those locations and hours can be found here.
For information about addiction treatment services, click here to be connected with University Hospitals and click here to be linked to Cleveland Clinic.
| MEDIA CONTACTS: |
|---|
| Cleveland Clinic Halle Bishop, Bishoph@ccf.org, 216.312.5086 Andrea Pacetti, Pacetta@ccf.org, 216.312.3040 |
| University Hospitals Carly Belsterling, Carly.Belsterling@uhhospitals.org, 412.889.8866 |
| MEDIA CONTACTS: |
| Cleveland Clinic Halle Bishop, Bishoph@ccf.org, 216.312.5086 Andrea Pacetti, Pacetta@ccf.org, 216.312.3040 |
| University Hospitals Carly Belsterling, Carly.Belsterling@uhhospitals.org, 412.889.8866 |
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 22 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million total outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.
