by Leah Justice
Local law enforcement collected almost 57,000 doses of prescription medicine during a recent Operation Medicine Drop.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Tryon Police Department, Tryon Fire Department and the Saluda Police Department participated in the medicine drop on Saturday, March 22, which ended in the collection of 56,926 pills.
Polk County Sheriff’s officers said residents responded in positive stride to get prescription drugs that were no longer needed off the streets.
“By taking part in these take back events, it aids in the prevention of keeping them from being abused or distributed illegally on our streets,” states a news release sent from the sheriff’s office.
Residents were able to drop off unwanted medications at five locations last week, including the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda Police Department, Sunny View Fire Department, Tryon Estates and Tryon Fire Department where officers were available to accept and securely dispose of the pills.
The total pills collected combined for more than 70 pounds.
Of the total, 4,536 dosage units were controlled substances.
“Participating agencies would like to thank the citizens of Polk County for this overwhelming turnout for such a great cause in keeping Polk County safe,” said the news release.
Prescription drug abuse is one of the most abused forms of drug use that plagues North Carolina. With Operation Medicine Drop, a national campaign, gives residents an opportunity to rid their homes of these drugs, which are so commonly sought after during other criminal activities such as breaking and entering.
Operation Medicine Drop partners with Safe Kids North Carolina, the Drug Enforcement Administration, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and local law enforcement to collect and safely destroy these drugs during this campaign.
Once the dosages are collected, the SBI gathers them from across the state where they are later transported by the North Carolina Highway Patrol to a state approved incinerator.
Operation Medicine Drop events typically take place statewide in the spring and fall.
The sheriff’s office will inform the public as to when the next medicine take-back day will be.