Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Drug drop boxes net 620 pounds of prescription meds

By Jared Mauch
Drug drop boxes at jails in Mercer and Auglaize counties have allowed people to dispose of more than 620 pounds of unneeded prescription drugs over the last 18 months.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office reported more than 350 pounds have been collected during that time.
The sheriff's office regularly participates in the Drug Enforcement Agency's drug take-back projects and maintains the county's only drug drop box in which people may dispose of medicine. The DEA disposes of the drugs, most of which are in pill form.
"The drug drop box was installed to make getting rid of unnecessary pills from your home easy. Most prescription abuse in teenagers starts when they take medications prescribed for an adult," Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey said.
"The drop box is a way for people to dispose of drugs properly," Grey said.
Grandchildren sometimes steal old drugs from grandparents, he added.
The drop box is located in the lobby of the sheriff's office. People can stop by and drop off unused or unwanted drugs in the box anytime.
The sheriff's office this year has collected 172 pounds of drugs through July, according to Capt. Martin Emerine. The office collected 255 pounds of drugs in 2014.
The sheriff's office participates in the National Drug Takeback program and on Sept. 26 had a collection event.
Auglaize County residents can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs 24 hours a day at the county jail in Wapakoneta, Sheriff Al Solomon said. His office has collected more than 270 pounds of unwanted drugs since 2014.
The office also has three collection days a year at various locations across the county and also participates in the DEA event, Solomon said.
A total of 135 pounds was collected by the sheriff's office in 2014 and 1351/2 pounds this year, according to deputy Steve Steinecker.
Deaths from prescription painkillers have quadrupled since 1999, killing more than 16,000 people in the U.S. in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Fort Recovery
FORT RECOVERY - Village council members on Monday night approved an ordinance to provide services to owners of 30.481 acres of land near state Route 49 and Sharpsburg Road in Gibson Township, upon annexation. [More]
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NEW BREMEN - A man at Auglaize Industries turns felt pieces, curtains and robes into lovable stuffed animals of his own design.
Ron Webb, 75, is known as Ronnie at Auglaize Industries where he works on his creations.
CELINA - A Fort Recovery man faces a charge of sexual battery against a family member in Mercer County and more serious charges in Darke County, according to court records.
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery Village Council members on Monday night awarded a $111,161 contract to Beaverdam Contracting of Bluffton to extend the sanitary sewer system along state Route 49.
FORT RECOVERY - Rod Thobe will resign from his village council seat at the end of the year after having served for 34 years.
Mayor Roger Broerman at Monday night's regular council meeting read aloud Thobe's letter of resignation.
CELINA - Patrice "Patty" Menchhofer was leading a normal life in 2004 when, like too many women before her, she received a breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything.
VAN WERT - Celina improved to 10-3 on the season and 5-2 in the Western Buckeye League boys' soccer standings with a 3-1 win at Van Wert Monday afternoon. The Cougars drop to 1-11 and 0-7 in league matches.
FORT LORAMIE - The Marion Local Flyers were momentarily off their game during the second set of Monday's match against defending Division IV state champion Fort Loramie.
Area Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Marys' Jill Schmitmeyer became the first golfer in school history to qualify for the state girls golf tournament after competing in the Division II district tournament on Monday at Sycamore Springs in Arlington.