METRICH Region Collects Over 1,300 Pounds of Medications During Prescription Take Back Event
RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — Law enforcement agencies across North Central Ohio came together on April 25, 2026, for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Take Back Initiative, resulting in the collection of more than 1,385 pounds of unused or expired medications throughout the METRICH region.
The coordinated effort was led by the METRICH Enforcement Unit and included participation from multiple agencies such as the Mansfield Division of Police, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, and several community partners including Richland Public Health and the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board.
Officials credited the success of the initiative to strong community involvement and collaboration among law enforcement agencies across the ten-county METRICH region. The program aims to safely remove unused medications from homes, helping to prevent misuse, addiction, and environmental harm.
In Ashland County, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office collected 157 pounds of medications, contributing significantly to the regional total.
Other notable collections included:
Richland County:
Mansfield Police Department: 89.8 lbs.
Richland County Sheriff’s Office: 29 lbs.
Crawford County:
Bucyrus Police Department: 91.4 lbs.
Galion Police Department: 90.5 lbs.
Marion County:
Combined agencies: 154.4 lbs.
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office: 140.04 lbs.
Additional contributions were recorded across Hancock, Huron, Knox, Seneca, and Wyandot counties, reflecting widespread participation across the region.
METRICH, a ten-county task force, continues to focus on reducing the availability of illegal drugs and improving quality of life through proactive enforcement and community partnerships. Officials also encourage residents to report suspicious activity through their crime hotline.
The Prescription Take Back Initiative remains a key tool in combating prescription drug abuse, providing residents with a safe and responsible way to dispose of medications while supporting broader public safety efforts.
