University Hospitals and Beacon healthcare Join Forces to Prevent Substance Misuse and Overdose Deaths by Hosting Drug Take-Back Day on April 27

Substance misuse and accidental overdose deaths continue to plague Northeast Ohio and the nation. In 2023 the overdose death rate topped 112,000 in a 12 month period for the first time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

National surveys show most people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet.

The best place to get rid of unused or expired medications is an official disposal location. As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27, University Hospitals (UH) and Beacon Healthcare are partnering to host collection efforts at 29 locations throughout Northeast Ohio. This event gives the public an easy way to rid their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.

“When medicines sit unused for a long time at home, it’s more likely someone they’re not intended for will discover them and misuse them,” said Michael Carlin, Senior Director of Pharmacy, Business Operations and Logistical Management at UH. “Joining for Drug Take-Back Day is just one example of how the collaborative partnership formed by University Hospitals and Beacon Healthcare can make a difference by combining resources and addressing challenges together.”

“We are pleased to once again partner with University Hospitals to promote safe disposal methods in our communities. Disposing of medications that are no longer needed or out of date is a key step to avoid abuse or accidental harm,” said Chief Pharmacy Officer at Beacon Healthcare. “Drug take-back days are good reminders, it’s important to keep in mind that our drug disposal kiosks are open year-round, so individuals can regularly bring their extra medications for disposal.”

In addition, all UH drug take-back sites will host Project DAWN which provides free fentanyl test strips and naloxone kits. The most common drugs involved in overdose deaths are fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to these types of drugs. It’s nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless you test your drugs with fentanyl test strips. Making the medication naloxone widely available remains another key strategy in fighting the opioid epidemic. Naloxone rapidly reverses an opioid overdose and can quickly (albeit temporarily) restore a person’s normal breathing, which gives time for additional interventions.

Also, as part of overall efforts to keep the community healthy, UH Ahuja, Geauga, Lake West, Portage, and TriPoint medical centers will offer no-cost glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings during this event.