Deterra® Bags
Learn how to properly and safely
dispose your prescription medication.
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Drug Deactivation

Learn How to Safely Dispose of Your Medications

With mandates in place keeping the public home, now is a great opportunity to clean out medicine cabinets and storage areas and dispose of unwanted or unused prescription drugs. While prescription medications can help us live longer and healthier lives there is the potential for harm if these strong medications are improperly used. 

Some of the most misused medications include opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine), depressants (Xanax, Valium, Ambien), and stimulants (drugs for ADHD, Ritalin, Adderall). You have the power to reduce the chances that these dangerous prescription drugs fall into the wrong hands by practicing safe use, safe storage, and safe disposal. 

Prescription medication cannot simply be flushed down the toilet or tossed it into the trash before being deactivated. The Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition is continuing to distribute Deterra Drug Deactivation System – bags for free, thanks to a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. The Deterra bags help prevent drug misuse, promote home safety, and protect the environment. 

Bags can be mailed directly to your home and each bag, 10 inches long by 5 inches wide, can hold up to 45 pills, 6 ounces of liquid or 6 patches at one time. Users place medication in the bag’s pouch, fill it halfway with warm tap water, let the bag sit open for 30 seconds, then seal it, shake it and toss it into the trash. Pouches are made from environmentally friendly materials, so they are biodegradable and safe for the environment.

Once you have properly disposed of the medication, the ADC recommends community members to block out any personal information on prescription containers before disposing of empty containers. To request a bag to be mailed to your home please contact:

Jodi Salvo
ADC Coordinator
330-440-7320
jsalvo@pfcs1.org.

Secure Rx Medication Drop-Off Sites

Tuscarawas County Sherrif's Office

2295 Reiser Avenue SE
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
330-339-7713
(drop-off in lobby, 24/7)

Newcomerstown Police Department

124 W. Church St.
Newcomerstown, OH 43832
740-498-6161
(call prior to drop-off)

Sugarcreek Police Department

126 S. Broadway
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
330-852-2212
(drop-off 24/7, call prior to drop-off)

New Philadelphia Police Department

122 2nd St. SE
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
330-343-4488
(call prior to drop-off)

Strasburg Police Department

358 5th St.
Strasburg, OH 44680
330-878-7011
(6am - 2pm, call prior to drop-off)

Dennison Police Department

302 Grant St. (2nd Floor)
Dennison, OH 44621
740-922-3131
(drop-off 24/7, call prior to drop-off)

Safe Medication Practices

General safe practices

  • Prescription:
    • Only take as prescribed or directed by a healthcare professional or on product labeling. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you experience and side effects or allergic reactions
    • Do not share prescription medications with anyone as this is illegal.
  • Over the Counter (OTC):
    • Know the dose
    • Read the Drug Facts on the package
    • Make sure children know that using OTC medicines incorrectly can cause harm.
  • Prescription medications with potential for misuse and abuse
    • Opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine)
    • Depressants (Xanax, Valium, Ambien)
    • Stimulants (drugs for ADHD: Ritalin, Adderall)
  • Risk Factors for overdose and misuse
    • Combining prescription opioids, anxiety, or stimulants with each other or with alcohol
    • Taking more than prescribed
    • Taking illicit or illegal opioids, like heroin or fentanyl, that could contain harmful substances
  • Store in a secure place out of reach of others
  • Consider a lockbox, medication safe, or other lockable box
  • Avoid storage places where children and others can easily access such as drawers, nightstands, kitchen cabinets
  • Block out any personal information on prescription containers before disposing of empty container.
  • Do not flush medications down the toilet or drain so they do not enter our water supplies
  • Dispose of unused medications and do not store for future use. Visitors in your home, including youth, may search medication cabinets for medications to assist in their addiction.
  • Use Drug Take Back days or permanent prescription drug disposal locations (www.OhioRxDisposal.com) to dispose of expired or unused medications.
  • Over the counter pain medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen)
  • Acupuncture or massage
  • Applying heat or ice

Marijuana

Learn what you need to know to help prevent marijuana use with your kids.

Rx Drugs

Learn about safe usage, safe storage, and safe disposal of your prescription medication.

Alcohol

You can set the example for your kids to understand the dangers of alcohol consumption.

Tobacco

Learn about the effects of tobacco use and understand the increased dangers of vaping.