Dispose of Unused Medications Properly, or the D.U.M.P. program provides a safe way to dispose of unused medications.
Do you have unused Medications? There is a safe way to dispose of them. Improper disposal of medicines presents both a public safety and environmental hazard. Summit County Public health, in collaboration with local community partners, has established a pharmaceutical disposal program for residents to safely dispose of their unused medications.
Simply take the unwanted medicine to one of the several D.U.M.P. locations in the county and the medication will be safely destroyed, no questions asked.
Please note that these disposal boxes are for pills, capsules or liquids only. Syringes cannot be accepted at the D.U.M.P. boxes. For syringe disposal, please call (330) 926-5600
Prescription Abuse
Prescription drug abuse by teens is a serious problem in Ohio. An Ohio Department of Health report indicates that 26.5% of high school students have abused prescription drugs. Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or "self-medicate" can be as dangerous and addictive as using illegal street drugs. Painkillers are the most common pharmaceutical abused by teens. Stimulant abuse is more common among older teens and college students than younger teens.
Environmental Concerns
Many medications pass through our sewage treatment plants and septic systems. Antibiotic residuals can be harmful to sewage treatment facilities. Expired or unwanted medicines flushed down the toilet are reaching streams, lakes and our drinking water supplies. Some fish and amphibians that have been exposed to waters contaminated by medications show signs of developmental and reproductive problems.
When disposing of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications:
- Keep the medicines in the original container
- Mark out your name and address
- Secure the container
Deposit the medicines in the disposal boxes at the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department.