Highland County Veterans Services and other area organizations are holding a Highland County Spring Cleaning event including a prescription drug take-back, shred-a-thon, and worn and tattered flag disposal Saturday, May 18 at the Highland County Courthouse Square from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We actually started this a few years ago,” said Veterans Service Officer Cailin Hoskins. “The Chillicothe VA had reached out to us on wanting to do a suicide prevention event, and we decided to go the route of helping to dispose of expired or unused medications, and it kind of grew from there.”

The prescription drug take-back will provide the safe disposal of unused, unneeded or expired medications and vitamins or supplements. This year, old and unused prescription eyeglasses will also be accepted. No liquids or needles can be accepted during the event.

“Having those old medications in your home is a risk to a lot of people whether it’s as a suicide prevention or just for health in general,” said Hoskins. “If there is medication that’s around that is unnecessary, it’s important to get rid of those so no one is going to be accidentally taking them or see them as a means of harm.”

The identity theft prevention part of the event will provide a shredder to safely dispose of your personal documents, check stubs, credit card offers, receipts, old tax returns, or any other material that might contain sensitive information. Thousands of pounds of material can be collected at this event.

Additionally, worn, tattered and faded flags, banners and pendants will be taken in anticipation of replacing them prior to Flag Day.

“The prescription drug take-back is really a good part of it,” said Hoskins. “There are prescription drug take-back collection boxes throughout the county as well that are there all the time. We’ve also combined into it a shred truck and getting rid of worn and tattered flags, so we will have a lot of wellness resources as well as helping to clean up.”

Reach John Hackley at 937-402-2571.