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

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

The West Chester Police Department will staff a drop-off location for prescription drugs on Saturday, April 27. The medication disposal drop-off location will be at the Walgreen’s, which is located at 7804 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Residents can drop off unwanted and unused prescription drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off nor over-the-counter or syrup or liquid medications.

To find a drop-off location near you, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Association Office of Diversion Control website.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: medication disposal drop off, 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 |

Tags: Tags: Advanced Sports Marketing, Advanced Sports Marketing Liberty Township, Arbor Day and Earth Day, Cell Phones for Soldiers, Cincinnati Astronomers Society, Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Bengals player signings, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Community Arbor Day and Earth Day event, 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, Earth Day, Keehner Park, Ken Anderson, Ken Anderson Cincinnati Bengals, Ken Anderson signing, Miami University Voice of America Learning Center, Miami University’s Year of the Arts, Miami’s Regional Campuses, Mueller Parker Funeral Home, National Drug Take Back Day, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Pat Freedom, Pete Rose, Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signing, River Rat & Cat, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Square at Union Centre, Square at Union Centre West Chester, Star Gazing program, The Arts Council of West Chester & Liberty, The Arts Council of West Chester and Liberty, the Square at Union Centre, the Square at Union Centre West Chester, Voice of America, Voice of America Learning Center, West Chester Farmers' Market, West Chester winter market, winter market

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

The West Chester Police Department will staff a drop-off location for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 29. The medication disposal drop-off location will be at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, which is located 7600 Princeton-Glendale Road just north of Tylersville Road.

Residents can drop off unwanted and unused prescription drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off nor over-the-counter or syrup or liquid medications.

Outside of West Chester, Butler County residents can drop off their unused prescription drugs at the Fairfield Township Police Department (6485 Vonnie Vale Court) and the Hamilton Police Department (331 S Front Street). Those locations will be taking back the prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To find a drop-off location near you, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Association Office of Diversion Control website.

Posted in: Events, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Cornerstone United Methodist Church, medication disposal drop off, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The West Chester Police Department will offer a free self-defense class for women this Saturday, Oct. 22, and will staff a medication drop-off location next Saturday, Oct. 29.

The self-defense class, which is designed for women, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon. According to a press release from the township, the class is designed to encourage women to be prepared and confident when faced with a potentially dangerous confrontation.

Classes are for women age 16 and older and are taught by West Chester Police Officer Michael Bruce. The class is offered at the police department on Beckett Road. Participants should dress comfortably in order to participate fully in the class.

To register for the free class, call 513-759-7254.

Meanwhile, the West Chester Police Department will staff a drop-off location for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29. The medication disposal drop-off location will be at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, which is located 7600 Princeton-Glendale Road just north of Tylersville Road.

Residents can drop off unwanted and unused prescription drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off nor over-the-counter or syrup or liquid medications.

Posted in: Events, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: class, Cornerstone United Methodist Church, medication disposal drop off, Michael Bruce, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, officer Michael Bruce, self-defense training, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The West Chester Fire Department will host a blood drive this Tuesday at its headquarters located at 9119 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. The blood drive will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with a signed Parental Consent Form, available online at cbccts.org), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Community Blood Center asks that interested donors schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-388-GIVE or by visiting www.DonorTime.com (enter Sponsor Code 1328) to ensure desired donation times.

Donors must bring a photo ID with full name, along with a donor ID card (if available).

Meanwhile, the West Chester Police Department will staff a drop-off location for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29. The medication disposal drop-off location will be at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, which is located 7600 Princeton-Glendale Road just north of Tylersville Road.

Residents can drop off unwanted and unused prescription drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off nor over-the-counter or syrup or liquid medications.

Posted in: Events, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: blood drive, Community Blood Center, Cornerstone United Methodist Church, medication disposal drop off, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester Police Department

The West Chester Fire Department has recently announced that it will host a blood drive Sept. 20 at its headquarters located at 9119 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Meanwhile, the West Chester Police Department has also recently announced that will staff a drop-off location for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29.

The blood drive will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with a signed Parental Consent Form, available online at cbccts.org), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Community Blood Center asks that interested donors schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-388-GIVE or by visiting www.DonorTime.com (enter Sponsor Code 1328) to ensure desired donation times.

Donors must bring a photo ID with full name, along with a donor ID card (if available).

The medication disposal drop-off location will be at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, which is located 7600 Princeton-Glendale Road just north of Tylersville Road. Residents can drop off unwanted and unused prescription drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

No syringes or lancets will be accepted at this drop-off nor over-the-counter or syrup or liquid medications.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: blood drive, Community Blood Center, Cornerstone United Methodist Church, medication disposal drop off, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester Police Department