MANSFIELD — The Richland County Youth Substance Use Coalition is asking the public to help create a healthier community and prevent substance abuse by properly disposing of all unused or expired medications.
Properly disposing of medications is easy thanks to numerous prescription drug drop boxes available throughout the county. Many are located inside local pharmacies or near grocery stores, making them an easy and convenient stop while running errands. A full list is available below.
Richland Public Health is also offering free Deterra drug deactivation packets free of charge. These pouches can be safely used at home by putting the medications in the pouch, filling it with warm water, gently shaking the packet and throwing it in the trash.
The Deterra pouches are an environmentally friendly option, since they decompose leaving virtually no waste behind.
Using a deactivation packet or secure drop box are the best ways to prevent harm to people or pets who may intentionally or unintentionally misuse a medication.
“Throwing away medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet are not safe for the environment and don’t actually deactivate them, meaning they can still be misused,” said Gurpinder Deol of Richland Public Health.
Free, safe locations for prescription drug disposal in Richland County are listed below.
Richland Public Health is also seeking community input on locations for additional prescription drug drop boxes to be placed in Richland County in the future. RPH hopes to increase access to proper disposal locations and reduce transportation barriers.
Please click HERE to submit ideas for a new drop box location.
| Location | Address & Phone Number | Hours | Accepted for Disposal | Not Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genoa Pharmacy @ Catalyst | 741 Scholl Rd Mansfield, OH 44907 567-307-4600 | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Friday between 3pm-5pm you must call | Prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, vitamins | Sharps, cans, liquids |
| Meijer Pharmacy | 1355 N Lexington-Springmill Rd Mansfield, OH 44906 419-747-8310 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-9pm. Tue/Thur 7am-9pm. Sun 10am-6pm. | Prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, pet medicines | Thermometers, cans, inhalers, needles, lotions, liquids, hydrogen peroxide, iodine-containing medicines |
| Avita Ontario Hospital | 715 Richland Mall Ontario, OH 44906 567-307-7557 | 24 hours | Prescription drugs, prescription ointments, vitamins, prescription patches, pet medications, over the counter medicines | Needles, inhalers, thermometers, cans, lotions, liquids, hydrogen peroxide |
| Bucyrus Hospital | 629 N Sandusky Ave Bucyrus, OH 44820 419-562-4677 | 24 hours | Prescription drugs, prescription ointments, vitamins, prescription patches, pet medications, over the counter medicines | Needles, inhalers, thermometers, cans, lotions, liquids, hydrogen peroxide |
| CVS Pharmacy | 1049 W. 4th St Mansfield, OH 44906 419-529-6001 | Mon-Fri 8am-9pm. Sat 9am-6pm. Sun 10am-5pm. | Prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, liquid medicines under 4oz. in a zip lock bag | Needles, cans, inhalers, iodine or mercury containing medicines |
| Walmart Pharmacy | 2485 Possum Run Rd Mansfield, OH 44903 419-756-7177 | Mon + Wed-Sat 9am-7pm. Tue 6am-7pm. Sun 10am-6pm. | Prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, liquid medications in original bottle with lid | Needles, cans, inhalers, iodine or mercury containing medicines, hydrogen peroxide |
| First Call 211 | 36 W 3rd St Mansfield, OH 44902 419-522-4636 | Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. | Prescription drugs, prescription ointments, vitamins, prescription patches, pet medications, over the counter medicines | Needles, inhalers, thermometers, cans, lotions, liquids, hydrogen peroxide |
Free Deterra pouches are available at the following locations. Residents are asked to fill out a brief, five-question anonymous survey before receiving a packet:
- Richland Public Health
- Please call 419-774-4754 first
- 555 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, OH 44907
- North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC)
- Please call 419-522-1611 first
- 134 N Main St, Mansfield, OH 44902
- Mansfield YMCA
- 750 Scholl Rd, Mansfield, OH 44907
- 419-522-3511
- Shelby YMCA
- 111 W Smiley Rd, Shelby, OH 44875
- 419-347-1312
- Third Street Family Health Services (http://www.tsfhs.org/)
- All locations
- Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (https://www.mrcpl.org/visit/locations/)
- All locations
- 419-521-3100
- Area Agency on Aging
- 2131 Park Ave W, Ontario, OH 44906
- 419-524-4144
- 419 Barbershop
- 1367 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44906
- 419-709-9172
- Styles N Motion
- 410 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44906
- 419-526-4247
- Starfish Project of Richland County
- 9 N Mulberry St, Mansfield, OH 44902
- 419-512-6878
Article available on Richland Source