(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that residents in southern Ohio disposed of more than 8,600 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs by using drop boxes provided by the Attorney General's Office, Ohio Department of Health, and Drug Free Action Alliance.
"By disposing of these prescription drugs in a safe and secure way, it removes the chance of them potentially getting into the hands of children or those struggling with addiction," said Attorney General DeWine.
In October 2012, Attorney General DeWine announced that more than 60 southern Ohio law enforcement agencies would be awarded the prescription drug drop boxes to help fight prescription drug abuse in their communities. The secure mailbox-style disposal boxes are available to residents on a daily basis.
According to the DEA, the non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family, friends, and their home medicine cabinets.
A list of prescription drug drop boxes provided by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Ohio Department of Health, and Drug Free Action Alliance can be found on the Attorney General's website.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840