© 2024 WYSO
Our Community. Our Nation. Our World.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Your Voice Ohio is a collaborative effort to produce more relevant, powerful journalism based on the needs and ambitions of Ohioans and Ohio communities. Your Voice Ohio is an initiative of WYSO and more than 30 news organizations across Ohio.

Kroger, Local Health And Social Service Agencies To Distribute Drug Disposal Bags

Pic from right: Gail Dafler, prevention specialist Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GWESMV); Dawn Cooksey, director of Behavioral Health Services GWESMV;   Helen Jones-Kelley, executive director, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Healt
ADAMHS

Officials with Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) say around 75 percent of people addicted to opioids first became hooked through a doctor’s prescription.

 

That high percentage prompted ADAMHS, Kroger pharmacies and Goodwill Easter Seals to collaborate on a new effort to distribute free drug-disposal bags.

 

Officials say the bags offer a safe, cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution to eliminate unwanted opioid prescription drugs.

 

Ann Stevens with ADAMHS says the bags contain a special charcoal filtration system that renders the drugs useless.

 

“We want people to get them out of their medicine cabinets because they can easily be stolen by your friends, your neighbors, whoever uses your restroom," she says. "People at open houses seek medications when they’re going through a house, so we don’t want these drugs to get in the hands of people who aren’t prescribed them."

 

ADAMHS is currently using about a third of its annual budget on opioid-related programs and services, and Stevens says the agency received a $50,000 state grant for the new drug bag program.

 

The bags will be available at 13 Kroger Pharmacies and 12 Goodwill locations in Montgomery County. Kroger pharmacies will provide the bags whenever opioid prescriptions are filled. Goodwill/Easter Seals Miami Valley will distribute another approximately 5,000 bags.

 

Officials say disposing of opioids using the charcoal bags will also help to keep drugs out of the water supply.

 

Participating Kroger Pharmacy Locations:

 Kroger 722, 10101 Landing Way, Miamisburg

 Kroger 754, 4506 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights

 Kroger 758, 7747 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights

 Kroger 836, 3520 W. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton

 Kroger 923, 1095 S. Main St., Centerville

 Kroger 747, 780 Northwoods Blvd, Vandalia

 Kroger 751, 1027 S. Smithville Rd, Dayton

 Kroger 759, 155 N. Heincke Rd, Miamisburg

 Kroger 960, 5400 Cornerstone North Blvd, Centerville

 Kroger 825, 2115 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering

 Kroger 931, 2917 W. Alex Bell Rd, Dayton

 Kroger 933, 1934 Needmore Rd, Dayton

 Kroger 938, 885 Union Rd, Englewood

Participating Goodwill Stores and Donation Centers:

 Goodwill Store – 6868 Miller Ln, Butler Township

 Goodwill Store – 950 Miamisburg- Centerville Rd, Centerville

 Goodwill Store- 501 E. Fifth St, Dayton –(Oregon store)

 Goodwill Store – 606 Taywood Rd, Englewood

 Goodwill Store – 5058 Brandt Pk, Huber Heights

 Goodwill Store – 7590 Brandt Pk, Huber Heights (Sulphur Grove)

 Goodwill Store – 1040 Patterson Rd, Dayton

 Goodwill Store – 1970 E. Dorothy Ln, Kettering

 Goodwill Store – 1258 E. Central Ave, Miamisburg

 Goodwill Store – 5400 N. Dixie Dr, Dayton (Northridge)

 Goodwill Outlet – 1750 Woodman Dr, Dayton

 Goodwill Easter Seals Main Headquarters - 660 Main St. (Donation Center only)

 

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.