Findlay Times

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) is drawing attention to National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Latta is urging residents of Ohio's Fifth District to participate in this important initiative by properly disposing of their unneeded or expired prescription drugs.

In a statement, Latta emphasized the importance of safely disposing of prescription drugs to prevent misuse and abuse. He stated, "It’s not uncommon for our medicine cabinets to become full of unneeded or leftover prescription drugs. Prescription medications are often thrown in the trash, where they can be retrieved, abused, or illegally sold. To responsibly dispose of these medications, several official drop off locations are available throughout Ohio’s Fifth District."

To facilitate the safe disposal of prescription drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set up official collection sites across the country. These sites provide a secure and anonymous way for individuals to dispose of their unneeded medications. During the last Drug Take Back Day in April 2023, the DEA collected an impressive 663,725 pounds of medications.

Residents of Ohio's Fifth District can find the nearest disposal location by visiting the Drug Enforcement Administration's website. Additionally, Latta provided a list of disposal locations in various counties within the district:

- Crawford County:

- Crestline Police Department: 100 N Seltzer St, Crestline, OH

- Bucyrus Police Department: 500 S Sandusky Ave, Bucyrus, OH

- Galion Police Department: 301 Harding Way E, Galion, OH

- Henry County:

- Henry County Sheriff’s Office: 123 E Washington St, Napoleon, OH

- Napoleon Police Department: 310 Glenwood Ave, Napoleon, OH

- Huron County:

- New London Police Department: 115 E Main St, New London, OH

- Perkins Township Police Department: 2610 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH

- Lorain County:

- Westlake Police Department: 27300 Hilliard Blvd, Westlake, OH

- North Olmsted Police Department: 27243 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH

- Bay Village Police Department: 28000 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, OH

- Fairview Park Police Department: 20777 Lorain Rd, Cleveland, OH

- Mercer County:

- Coldwater Police Department: 303 W Main St, Coldwater, OH

- Paulding County:

- Paulding County Sheriff’s Office: 500 E Perry St, Paulding, OH

- Putnam County:

- Putnam County Sheriff’s Office: 1035 Heritage Trail, Ottawa, OH

- Seneca County:

- Fostoria Police Department (Kroger Store #856): 126 W High St. Fostoria, OH

- Wood County:

- Bradner Police Department: 130 N Main St Bradner, OH

- North Baltimore Police Department: 203 N Main St, North Baltimore, OH

- Perrysburg Township Police Department: 26711 Lime City Rd, Perrysburg, OH

- Wood County Sheriff’s Office: 1960 E Gypsy Lane Rd, Bowling Green, OH

- Wyandot County:

- Carey Police Department: 127 N Vance St, Carey, OH

- Wyandot Sheriff's Office: 125 E Wyandot Ave, Upper Sandusky, OH

- Upper Sandusky Police Department: 120 N 7th St, Upper Sandusky, OH

Apart from promoting National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Congressman Latta has been actively involved in addressing the opioid crisis in the United States. Over the years, he has authored and co-sponsored several bills aimed at combating this epidemic.

One notable accomplishment is the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act, also known as the "Track and Trace" law, which was signed into law in 2013. This legislation directed the FDA to establish a system to track prescription drugs through the supply chain, ensuring the safety and authenticity of medications.

In 2017, Latta introduced the INFO Act, which was subsequently signed into law in 2018 as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. This act established a public electronic database to compile information on federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Currently, Latta is championing the HALT Fentanyl Act, which aims to address the growing threat of fentanyl analogues. The bill has already passed in the House and seeks to classify fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act.

Through his legislative actions and continued advocacy, Congressman Latta remains committed to fighting the opioid epidemic that has claimed the lives of thousands of Americans. By highlighting National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and promoting proper disposal of prescription drugs, Latta hopes to make a positive impact in Ohio's Fifth District and beyond.

To find out more, go to this link: https://latta.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404094