Lorain County law enforcement agencies collect more than 2.2 tons of unused medication

ELYRIA — Law enforcement agencies across Lorain County accepted more than 4,000 pounds of prescription rugs at its biannual drug takeback day on Saturday. The 22nd National Drug Take Back Day across Lorain County saw residents bring their unused, unwanted or expired medications to drop boxes at local police or fire stations. The collection keeps the medications out of the landfill or water table or unauthorized hands, as prescriptions in a cabinet can lead to young people being tempted to try them. Medication was accepted no-questions-asked, with sheriff's deputies stacking dozens of boxes from 16 different Lorain County departments to be destroyed by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Lorain County residents turned over 4,485.7 pounds of medication since the last Drug Take Back Day in October. At that collection, residents turned over 4,485.4 pounds of medication, according to drug task force supervisor Todd Weegmann. He said this take-back day had a lot of participants, and a lot of help. Many local police departments, as well as local pharmacies, offer drop-boxes 24/7. To find a disposal location, search the DEA Diversion Control division at dea.gov. Lorain County's Drug Take Back program began in 2008, and joined the national DEA effort in 2010. The totals for each department were as follows: • Amherst Police: 109.4 pounds • Avon Police: 210 pounds • Avon Lake Police: 105 pounds • Columbia Fire Department: 147.4 pounds • Elyria Police Department: 253.9 pounds • Grafton Police Department: 186 pounds • Kipton Police Department: 24 pounds • LaGrange Police Department: 82.2 pounds • Lorain County Sheriff's Office: 114 pounds • Lorain Police Department: 156 pounds • North Ridgeville Police Department: 67 pounds • Oberlin Police Department: 70.6 pounds • Sheffield Village Police Department: 36.4 pounds • Sheffield Lake Police Department: 31.8 pounds • Vermilion Police Department: 87 pounds • Wellington Police Department: 80.8 pounds