Ohio is observing Drug Take Back Day today.

Dozens of police departments and other agencies have set aside designated times and places to allow people to drop off unused, unwanted or expired medications. 

Authorities say it's the best way to avoid taking expired prescriptions or letting unwanted meds end up in the wrong hands.  It's not uncommon to simply flush them in a toilet, but that practice has been linked to traces of active ingredients showing up in water supplies.

In the Akron area, you can drop off at police stations in Copley and Bath Townships and the Twinsburg Police Department.  Also, Akron police are participating at the Akron METRO parking lot.  Copley Township authorities are also stationed at Chambrel at Montrose.

The effort is coordinated nationally by the Drug Enforcement Agency and regionally by attorneys general.  Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says Ohioans turned in about 9 tons of used an expired drugs during the official collection in October.

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