Galion Community Hospital is partnering with the Galion Police Department for the first ever nationwide Medication Take Back Day on September 25th, 2010. The DEA’s Take Back initiative provides an opportunity for the public to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted medications in their homes. Galion Community Hospital is serving as a drop off location. Galion Police will be stationed inside the hospital’s lobby from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm to collect the medications.

“I am often asked how to properly dispose of unwanted medications,” states Eric Bohach, Detective, Galion Police Department. “It is common for people to think that flushing them down the toilet is a viable option. They are very wrong.”

Medications flushed down toilets can pollute drinking water and can have damaging effects on the environment. Many pharmaceuticals are getting past water treatment plants and getting into our drinking water. The United States Geological Society conducted a study of over 130 rivers, streams and other waterways in the U.S. and found pharmaceuticals in over 80% of those tested and included antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, pain killers, tranquilizers, seizure medications and cancer treatment medications.

Law enforcement officers are working with the DEA, or Drug Enforcement Agency, to properly dispose of collected medications. Federal and state laws mandate the proper destruction of medications.

“Galion Community Hospital is excited to be a drop-off location in this initiative,” states Christina Barnes, Pharmacy Director at Galion Community Hospital. “Another benefit is to decrease the risk of accidental consumption of these unused or expired medications by friends or family members. It is easy to accumulate medications in your medicine cabinet. People often have medications just sitting there because their physician switched them to a different brand or changed the dose. This is a great opportunity for people to make their homes safer by getting rid of the medications they no longer need.”

People are encouraged to bring all unwanted medications, including ointments, supplements, inhalers, prescription and over-the-counter medications to Galion Community Hospital on September 25th. For more information, call the Galion City Police Department at 419-468-5255 or visit www.galionhospital.org.

Related posts:

1. Galion Police Department, Hospital Join to Take Back
2. Galion Community Hospital Receives Recognition
3. Galion Hospital Forms Avita Health System; Bids on Bucyrus Hospital
4. Galion Community Hospital Installs Digital Mammography System
5. Prescription Drop-Off Now Available