SOUTH POINT — Lawrence-Scioto Waste Management District has teamed up with Lawrence County sheriff Jeff Lawless, to provide the second annual pharmaceutical collection event.

Local citizens will have the opportunity to drop off old prescription medications on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It’s free,” said Dan Palmer, the director of Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste District. “I encourage people to take advantage of this event,”

The location of the collection is at the Chamber of Commerce on 216 Collins Ave.in South Point.

“They can drop off their medications, no questions asked,” Palmer said.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration rules, the sheriff is responsible for presiding over the event and collecting the disposed material.

Last year, Lawless collected 33 pounds of pills, two large bags of liquid medicines and one container of syringes.

Waste management district officials are advising people not to flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet. This method is considered to be the least desirable way to dispose of medications.

“It (waste) contaminates our water system and does so much damage,” Palmer said.

A recent study conducted by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission found low levels of dozens of chemicals and pharmaceuticals in the Ohio River. Among the substances found were traces of antidepressants, anxiety medications and blood pressure medications as well as several others. Samples from this study were taken at 22 locations along the Ohio River