WestChesterBuzz.com

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Butler County residents can safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications Saturday during the National Prescription Drug Take Back.

This is the sixth take-back day since the Drug Enforcement Administration began the program in 2010. Thirteen sites in Butler County will accept medications.

“When we first started doing this, we knew there was a need. We knew this was a service that needed to be provided,’’ said Rusty Payne, DEA spokesman. “What we didn’t realize was the amazing results we were going to get.”

Since the program began in September, 2010, residents across the country have turned in more than two million pounds – 244 tons – of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies to find sites where medications can be dropped off and collected. Take back days have been scheduled about every six months, Payne said.

They will continue until federal disposal regulations are established and a more permanent solution can be found, Payne said.

Medications and over-the-counter drugs can be turned in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no questions asked. Labels can be soaked off, medications can be placed in bags, or residents can black out names and prescription numbers to remain anonymous.

They can be turned in at the following locations in Butler County:

• Butler County Sheriff’s Office, 705 Hanover St., Hamilton
• Fairfield Police Department, 5230 Pleasant Ave.
• Fairfield Township Police Department, 6485 Vonnie Vale Court
• Hamilton Police Department, 331 S. Front St.
• Kroger parking lot, 3033 Heritage Green Dr., Monroe
• Liberty Township fire headquarters, 6682 Ohio 747
• Miami University Police Department, 4945 Oxford-Trenton Road, Oxford
• Middletown Police Department, 1 Donham Plaza
• Monroe Police Department, 233 S. Main St.
• Ross Township Police Department, 3133 Hamilton-Cleves Road
• Talawanda High School, 5301 University Park Blvd., Oxford, 9:30 a.m. to noon
• Trenton Police Department, 11 E. State St.
• Walgreens, 7804 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester Township

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Tags: Tags: DEA, DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Drug Take Back Day Cincinnati, National Drug Take Back Day, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

There will be plenty to do in the West Chester area this weekend, including the opportunity to meet a pair Cincinnati sports legends, a farmers’ market and a chance to gaze at the stars. However, there is a chance for showers and thunderstorms for Saturday’s outdoor events.

Meet Rose and Anderson – Cincinnati sports legends Pete Rose and Ken Anderson will both host autograph sessions this Saturday afternoon at rival sports memorabilia shops. The Rose signing session will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sports Gallery, 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, while Anderson will be hosting his autograph session from 2 to 4 p.m. at Advanced Sports Marketing. 7043 Yankee Road in Liberty Township.

The weekly West Chester Farmers’ Market returns to the Square at Union Centre next Saturday, May 12. During the winter months, West Chester hosts a farmers’ market about once a month. Photo provided.

Farmers’ market – The farmers’ market season in West Chester Township is on its way back. There is only one winter farmers’ market remaining before the weekly West Chester Farmers’ and Art Market will open for the 2012 season May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Just like the weekly farmers’ market, the last winter market will take place at The Square at Union Centre. The winter market will take place this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Gaze at the stars – West Chester Township will be offering its first Star Gazing program of 2012 this Saturday at 9 p.m. at Keener Park. The program is free to the public and will take place near the tennis courts at the park. The Dayton and Cincinnati Astronomers Society will be providing their telescopes so that the public can view the stars and planets up close.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – Law enforcement agencies across the region are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take-Back Day. On Saturday, dozens of police agencies in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are providing sites for community members to drop off expired, unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Drugs can be turned in 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with no questions asked. The local drop-off location will be at West Chester Presbyterian Church, 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration – Mueller Parker Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, is hosting a community Arbor Day and Earth Day event from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday. This community event will provide opportunities to recycle and to remember loved ones with plants.

Free family theatre – A free performance of River Rat and Cat, a comic tale for the entire family, will be presented at Miami University’s Voice of America Learning Center 3 p.m. Sunday. A production of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill education series, River Rat and Cat is a comedy about friendship and cooperation.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools, Sports |

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Sue Kiesewetter reports

Law enforcement agencies across the region are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

On Saturday, dozens of police agencies in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are providing sites for community members to drop off expired, unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

“Prescription drug abuse is a major epidemic across the country and DEA is committed to reducing the potential for misuse by providing a safe and secure method for Americans to clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of unwanted, unneeded or expired medications,” said Michele M. Leonhart, DEA administrator.

This is the fourth national turn-in day since the program began in September 2010.

Nearly a million pounds – almost 500 tons – of prescription drugs were collected during the first three take-back days.

In Clermont County more than 300 pounds of prescription drugs were collected last fall during the third take-back day, said Heidi Nykolayko, director of the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County.

Drugs can be turned in 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with no questions asked.

Labels can be soaked off or residents can black out names and prescription numbers.

West Chester location: Officers with the West Chester Police Department will staff the drop-off location at the West Chester Presbyterian Church, 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off, nor will over-the-counter syrup or liquid medications.

Other Butler County locations: Fairfield – Permanent drop box in police department lobby, 5230 Pleasant Avenue; Fairfield Townshipp. – police station, 6485 Vonnie Vale Court; Hamilton – police department, 331 S. Front Street; Middletown – permanent drop box in police department lobby, 1 Donham Plaza; Monroe – Kroger, 3033 Heritage Green Drive; Oxford – East Park, high and Main streets; Ross Township – police department, 3133 Hamilton-Cleves Road.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: DEA, DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Drug Take Back Day Cincinnati, National Drug Take Back Day, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department