Over 40 residents drove through and dropped off 35 pounds of medication with no questions asked.

Medication Disposal Day 2010

Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson was on hand for Medication Disposal Day held Saturday, September 25^th at the Preble County Fairgrounds. Over 60 residents drove through and dropped off 205 pounds of medication with no questions asked.  With support from the police departments of Camden, Eaton, and New Paris, the Preble County General Health District and the Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board, residents turned over old and unused medication to officials. The Sheriff and police emptied the pill containers into boxes supplied by the DEA. The boxes were then sealed and shipped to the DEA for proper disposal. Empty pill containers were collected and sent to the landfill for recycling.

Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in Ohio. In 2007, unintentional drug poisoning became the leading cause of injury death in Ohio, surpassing motor vehicle crashes and suicide for the first time. From 1999 to 2008, Ohio's death rate due to unintentional drug poisonings increased 350 percent, and the increase in deaths has been driven largely by prescription drug overdoses. In Ohio, there were 327 fatal unintentional drug overdoses in 1999 growing to 1,473 annual deaths in 2008. On average, from 2006 to 2008, approximately 4 people died each day in Ohio due to drug-related poisoning. Twenty-six (26) Preble County residents died from 2004-2008 from drug poisoning. 

Prescription opioids (pain medications) are associated with more overdoses than any other prescription or illegal drug including cocaine and heroin. Opioids were involved in at least 37% percent of all drug poisoning deaths in the Ohio in 2008. The opioids most associated with overdose are methadone, oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin), hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) and fentanyl. Prescription opioids were involved in more unintentional overdoses (40%) than heroin and cocaine combined (33%) in Ohio in 2008. Death rates from unintentional drug/medication-related poisoning are highest for Ohioans ages 45-54, with rates for males 1.5 times greater than the rates for females. White males have the highest death rates from unintentional opioid poisoning; however, females represent the fastest growing group at risk. In 2007, 26.5 percent of Ohio high school students reported using a prescription drug without a doctor?s prescription one or more times during their life. 

These alarming statistics are what prompted the Preble County collaborative effort to hold Medication Disposal Day.  It is an excellent opportunity to educate the public about prescription drug abuse and misuse. Health care and allied medical professional organizations are encouraged to hold education campaigns regarding the problem of unintentional overdose deaths and be alert for "doctor shopping". The Sheriff plans to hold annual Medication Disposal Days to reverse this alarming trend.