Operation Medicine Drop successful
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 21, 2012 1:50 AM
Operation Medicine Drop netted more than 550 prescription and over-the-counter medications Oct. 13. A shopping bag full of samples was also collected during the event.
It was part of Kids Fest and was held to collect unwanted and outdated prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Members of the Wayne County 4-H Prevention Program, the Sheriff's Office and Wayne Connections Substance Abuse Task Force were on hand to collect the medicines.
"For some, it was easier to just bring the pills in the weekly storage container or in a baggie," said Barbara Byers, 4-H Prevention Program. "Bags of syringes and other liquids were also delivered to the collection point.
"Of special interest were 5,000 pain tablets, two bottles of liquid pain medication and three boxes of pain patches collected, including oxycodone, hydrocodone and tramadol."
Ms. Byers noted that these medicines are highly addictive and open to misuse by others.
"One in five teens has reported abusing prescription pain medication," she said. "And there is a 70-percent chance it came from your medicine cabinet. Youths report that prescription medicines are readily available to them."
Ms. Byers said to help prevent medicine abuse, lock all medications up and plan a time to talk whit your child about the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter abuse.
"Teens listen even if you think they don't," she said. "And those who learn about the risks of drugs from parents are 50 percent less likely to use drugs."
More information is available at www.PreventRxAbuse.org.
Anyone who was not able to take their medications to Operation Medicine Drop may take them to the Sheriff's Office annex, where there is a collection box.
For more information, call Sgt. Brandy Jones at (919) 705-6584.