The Safe Kids Coalition of Summit County will sponsor a Medication Turn-In Program on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the METRO Transit Center in downtown Akron at 631 S. Broadway St.
The event, held in cooperation with the Akron and Bath Police departments, offers a convenient, safe way for people to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are no longer being used.
"Prescription drugs present a danger to inquisitive young children who get their hands on them," said Lisa Pardi, RN, MSN, injury prevention coordinator for Akron Children’s Hospital and coordinator of the Safe Kids Coalition of Summit County.
"Prescription medications can also be a temptation for teens," said Pardi. "Recent news headlines have focused on the growing problem of teens abusing prescription drugs because they are easily accessible and teens perceive they are a safer way to get high than street drugs."
Out-of-date prescription drugs can also be unsafe for adults and the environment if they are thrown away in the trash or flushed into toilets.
Here are some guidelines for the May 22 "turn-in" event:
According to the Safe Kids Coalition, it is best to store all medications in a locked and secure area in the home, out of reach of children.
"Pills in purses can also be a temptation for children," said Pardi. "Mothers and grandmothers should closely supervise babies and toddlers, who are always fascinated by purses and their contents."
About Akron Children's Hospital
Akron Children's Hospital cares for about 500,000 patients each year and performs more pediatric surgeries than any other hospital in northeast Ohio. Children's operates a 253-bed pediatric hospital in downtown Akron, housing a regional burn center for both adults and children, a pediatric trauma center, regional neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and more than 30 clinical specialties. Children's also operates the Beeghly Campus in Boardman, a free-standing children's hospital with a 32-bed inpatient unit. In addition, services are provided at 68 other locations throughout the region, including 25 Children's campuses and 43 partner facilities.
In addition, more than 100 advocacy, education, outreach and research programs are provided to children and their families. Akron Children's Hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission and Magnet Recognition Status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2008, Children's became one of the founding members of the BioInnovation Institute in Akron, a unique collaboration of research, education and health institutions designed to pioneer the next generation of life-enhancing and life-saving innovations. For more information, visit www.akronchildrens.org.
