Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day. Here's where you can dispose of your expired and unused medications
Perhaps it could be something like pain pills that you got prescribed after that minor procedure, but you never used them.
Now, this weekend is the time to get rid of them, as Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day.
Call it spring cleaning light because there's no heavy lifting or cleansing, just a culling of things that could be harmful.
"You know, [a lot] of us have children, grandchildren, we don't want anybody to get harmed by these," said Chief Sean Frank of the Shaler Police Department. "There are some very potent pain medications that people take, and we just don't want them getting into the wrong hands."
It's not just those little hands, they might be harmful in your own hands.
"There are some medications that become more potent, and they may actually interact with your body or with your other medications," said Dr. Neha Vyas of the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Vyas said if they have expired, the efficacy of the medications may actually be less than when they were originally prescribed.
That said, don't flush them down the toilet like your parents might have done back in the day.
"We don't want to do that," Chief Frank said. "We don't want to introduce that into the water system, even though there are some systems that can purify that. We just don't want to add anything more to it."
That is why police departments have been providing you with a place to take your drugs for years.
"Drop it in, just like a mailbox," Chief Frank said. "You open it up, drop it in, and it's gone. We just box it up and send it for incineration. We've had a box since 2016, and we've had over 5,000 pounds of medications that have been discarded in a proper way."
For tomorrow's take-back day, Chief Frank said they'll be next to the Shaler Middle School at the Shaler Library.
"It's a real simple drive-through," he said. "You just pull up in your car, we have a tent, we have the boxes, you just drop it in the box, and you can go on your way."
They'll be there from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, but Shaler is far from alone with this. There are collection points all over the city, and you can find those sites at this link.
One last thing: when it comes to privacy, it's recommended that you remove the labels from the bottle or mark out any personal information with something like a Sharpie. If you don't want to take that risk, you can also pour the pills into a Ziplock bag and take that to the drop-off and dispose of the bottles separately.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
This super-rare cancer can give you a false positive pregnancy test — and symptoms as if you're expecting
It was anything but a bundle of joy. A woman was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after experiencing symptoms that led doctors to initially believe she was pregnant. But instead of carrying new life, she was suddenly fighting for her own. Advertisement 3 Early signs of ovarian cancer, such as bloating, abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, can mimic some symptoms of pregnancy. Peakstock – The 36-year-old sought medical help after three months of heavy, abnormal menstrual bleeding. Her periods had always been regular before, lasting four to five days every 28 to 30 days. In a case report, doctors noted she appeared pale, though her vital signs were stable. A pregnancy test came back positive — and a firm mass in her abdomen seemed to confirm it. Initial ultrasounds suggested an ectopic pregnancy — a life-threatening condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. If untreated, it can rupture and cause fatal internal bleeding. Advertisement But further imaging revealed it wasn't a pregnancy at all. Instead, there was a large mass on her right ovary. Surgeons promptly removed the mass, along with the woman's uterus, ovaries and nearby lymph nodes. Genetic testing confirmed the tumor was a non-gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma (NGOC), an extremely rare cancer. NGOC typically affects young women and can be difficult to diagnose, as it mimics pregnancy-related symptoms like vaginal bleeding and elevated levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG. Advertisement It makes up less than 0.6% of ovarian germ cell cancers, which originate from reproductive cells in the ovaries that normally mature into eggs. 3 The patient had a large mass in her right ovary. 2025 Kumar et al. That's different from gestational choriocarcinoma (GOC), the more common form, which typically develops from cells that were part of the placenta during pregnancy. Advertisement NGOC often begins in the ovaries or uterus but can quickly spread to the lungs, liver and other organs. It typically carries a poorer prognosis than GOC, and responds differently to treatment. Fortunately, in this case, the tumor was caught early and had not yet spread when it was removed. Following surgery and two cycles of chemotherapy, the woman's hCG levels returned to normal. Doctors will continue to monitor her closely, conducting regular hormone tests and imaging scans to check for any signs of recurrence. What else can cause a false positive pregnancy test? As terrifying as this case is, it's not the only reason a pregnancy test can read as positive without a baby on board. 3 Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, but they can sometimes deliver false results. Charlize Davids/ – 'Home urine pregnancy tests are pretty reliable, but there are some reasons you might get a false-positive result,' Dr. Jonathan Emery, an OB-GYN, told the Cleveland Clinic. One of the biggest culprits? Early pregnancy loss. Advertisement 'It's not technically false since a very early pregnancy did occur,' Emery explained. 'But this is the most common reason that a pregnancy test might appear to have been false.' The same effect can also happen after an abortion, when leftover pregnancy hormones may linger in the body for four to six weeks. Certain medications, including fertility treatments, performance-enhancing drugs or anything containing synthetic hCG, can trigger a false positive as well. Advertisement In other cases, elevated hCG levels may be linked to underlying medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, kidney disease, or cancers of the ovary, bladder, liver and other organs. And sometimes, it just comes down to user error. 'If you don't follow all the instructions, any results — positive or negative — could be false,' Emery said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Not just a garnish! The herb that can help shed water weight and relieve bloating
Parsley is often served as a garnish, alongside a roast chicken or on a steaming plate of spaghetti. But, with its rough texture and slightly bitter taste, many may not consider the herb to be a crucial part of their diet. Still, parsley is more than meets the eye, and experts say it can help to regulate your digestive health. 'It can help aid in digestion and help reduce bloating,' Amanda Capriglione, a registered dietitian, told The Healthy. 'It contains compounds that enable the expulsion of gas from the body.' Cultivated for thousands of years, the ancient Mediterranean plant is what is known as a natural diuretic. Diuretics are substances that help us to shed excess water weight and salt. Some others include dandelions, caffeine, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. A sprinkle of parsley in a tabouleh salad, green smoothie, or vegetable soup can be enough to make a difference. Just make sure it won't conflict with any medication you're on, and talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, as it could lead to abortion, according to past research. 'Incorporate herbs into your diet via a meal, not in a pill or liquid concentrated form,' Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian, told the Cleveland Clinic. Parsley is also rich in flavones, which are a type of plant-based compounds that have anti-inflammatory benefits. Inflammation can result in autoimmune, neurodegenerative, gastrointestinal, and heart diseases, as well as certain cancers. Together, inflammatory diseases account for more than half of all deaths globally, according to the Clinic. Furthermore, the plant is high in antioxidants, which are substances — including vitamins — that can help to prevent or slow damage to our body's cells. Parsley contains vitamins C, A, and E, which can help reduce inflammation that could result in chronic disease. Eating parsley 'can help reduce the risk of arthritis, an inflammation of the joints,' Dr. Brunilda Nazario, the lead medical director for WebMD, told The Healthy. 'It is also an excellent source of flavonoids, antioxidants that help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.' If you're looking to fortify you bone health, parsley is also good source of vitamin K. Including vitamin K in your diet can do just that. Adult women need 90 micrograms of the vitamin a day, and men need 120, according to the National Institutes of Health. 'Ten sprigs of parsley is enough to reach your daily dose of vitamin K,' Capriglione said.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
What is a chocolate cyst? The growth Bindi Irwin had removed — along with 51 lesions and her appendix
You wouldn't want to find one in your candy box. Bindi Irwin has revealed that she is rebounding from major double surgery after three years of 'fighting for answers' about her health issues — and it included removal of a whole organ as well as a 'chocolate cyst.' 'Fifty-one endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, and my appendix were all removed across two surgeries,' she wrote in an Instagram post. 'I can FINALLY say that I'm feeling better. Genuinely healing. I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain.' While many women are familiar with endometriosis — which is when tissue, similar to the lining of your uterus, starts growing outside it — 'chocolate cysts' may not be on your radar. In endometriosis, the misplaced tissue acts just like the uterine lining: thickening, bleeding, and shedding with each menstrual cycle. Common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, exhaustion, pain during intercourse, heavy periods, infertility, back pain, nausea and vomiting, bloating, an increasing urge to urinate, pain when peeing or pooping, and excessive menstrual cramps. When this tissue attaches to the ovaries, it can be filled with old blood, with turns the color of chocolate. Ovarian endometriomas, or 'chocolate cysts,' can be very small, grow very large, and involve one or both ovaries. Endometriosis affects one in ten women worldwide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Of that population, 7% to 44% will develop ovarian endometriomas. On average, it takes about a decade from the first signs of symptoms for a woman to finally be diagnosed with endometriosis. Oftentimes, symptoms are dismissed by either healthcare providers or women themselves who believe that even extreme menstrual pain — the kind that causes fainting or vomiting — is just a normal part of womanhood. 4 Endometriomas like the ones Irwin recently had removed are signs of a more advanced stage of endometriosis. Pepermpron – 'Stigma is lingering and alive,' Dr. Tamer Seckin, an endometriosis specialist, previously told The Post. 'Nobody believes it when women have pain.' 'Looking back, every woman I've treated over the last 30 years has carried a story of pain, of being dismissed, of fighting invisible battles that no one believed.' Bindi's endometriosis battle This grin and bear it ethos echoes the experience of Irwin, who first shared her endometriosis diagnosis over two years ago. She gave an update on her health on the February 3 episode of the 'A Life of Greatness' podcast, sharing that she dealt with a decade of daily fatigue as a result of her condition. 'I went for 10 years undiagnosed because doctors really didn't know enough, they diagnosed me with a million other things, like IBS, or hormones, or 'It's just part of being a woman,'' she explained. 'The symptoms continued to snowball, and it took me such a long time to find help.' 4 Irwin underwent surgery in March 2023 to treat her endometriosis. Instagram/@bindisueirwin Endometriomas like the ones Irwin recently had removed are signs of a more advanced stage of endometriosis. Irwin first underwent surgery to treat her condition in March 2023. What are complications of chocolate cysts? Beyond severe pelvic pain, complications of ovarian endometriomas include constipation, inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, an increased risk of ovarian cancer, infertility as a result of scar tissue, and the possibility of an endometrioma rupture, wherein the cyst opens and leaks, causing additional pain. However, when they're small and don't cause pain, they do not require treatment — but may be monitored. How are they diagnosed? These cysts are initially diagnosed via pelvic exam and imaging procedures like a transvaginal ultrasound or MRI. An official diagnosis is made when the cyst is removed laparoscopically and sent to a lab for biopsy. 4 Irwin was inspired to share her journey in part to destigmatize and raise awareness of issues related to women's health. bindisueirwin/Instagram How are chocolate cysts treated? There is no known cure for ovarian endometriomas. Treatment is dependent on factors such as age, symptoms, and reproductive goals. Options include medications that regulate hormones, including birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, or IUDs. They may also be removed via laparoscopic surgery. Cyst removal typically improves symptoms and reduces the risk of rupture or infertility. Irwin was inspired to share her journey in part to destigmatize endometriosis and raise awareness about issues related to women's health. 'I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. Young girls and women shouldn't feel alone with pain in the driver's seat of their lives. We need to take away the stigma of talking about women's health. It's time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale,' she said in her latest Instagram post. In May, The Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women's Health opened at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) on Long Island, made history as the first research facility within a top US scientific institution solely focused on unraveling the mysteries of the painful condition.
