It may have been overshadowed during the past year by COVID-19, but opioid abuse has been one of the region’s most consistent problems in recent years.

So, it’s great to see this epidemic — which has caused some residents of Butler County to struggle — not being forgotten amid an all-consuming pandemic.

This past weekend, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Cranberry Township Police Department took part in the 20th National Takeback Day that has been held over the past decade.

The event enabled residents of the region to dispose of unused drugs and over-the-counter medications in a safe way that helped to prevent the spread of opioids.

Lt. Chuck Mascellino, who works in support services for the Cranberry police department, said such events allow law enforcement to prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands and cut down on the amount of drugs being flushed down the drain and into local waterways.

Anything that can be done to prevent the spread of opioid use in the county is a valiant effort.

Although opioids have made fewer headlines this past year because of COVID-19, that doesn’t mean they didn’t remain a problem in the state and county.

While the state Department of Health earlier this year noted there has been a decline in opioid prescriptions in recent years, a total of 45 state counties saw a slight increase in the amount of opioid use and overdose deaths last year.

According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund — a private foundation that seeks improvements in the U.S. health care industry — the social isolation, increased mental health distress, economic woes and interruption of access to support networks and face-to-face visits with health care professionals brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has likely led to the increase of opioid use.

Sadly, this is not surprising. Any issues that already caused suffering were likely heightened by the pandemic, which has reshaped daily routines and our way of life for more than a year.

Those already struggling with addiction likely had less access to the services they’d need to overcome their struggle. Instead, they had more time alone with their addiction.

So, any little bit helps. In the case of last weekend’s event, we’re glad to see any opportunity to prevent the spread of opioids in the community, whether through passing from hand to hand or flushed down the drain.

Keep these takeback events coming.

— NCD