Laura Edington
Richmond County Daily Journal
The Rockingham Police Department, along with Medical Center Pharmacy, will hold Operation Medicine Drop on March 19, from 2 to 5 p.m., and on March 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The drop off will be held at Medical Center Pharmacy at 805 Long Drive, Rockingham, and will give residents an opportunity to dispose of medication.
“Rockingham Police Department encourages the citizens of Richmond County to bring their unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medication to one of these events. By properly destroying these medications, we will protect our waters and prevent accidental overdoses and substance abuse,” said Lt. Eddie Grant of the Rockingham Police Department.
This event is an effort coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Safe Kids North Carolina, NC State Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Riverkeepers of NC.
“The service is free and anonymous — no questions asked,” said a statement released by the police department.
The statement also said since 2010, more than 1,000 collection sites have received more than “30 million dosage units of medication during take back events statewide.”
Wayne Goodwin, N.C. insurance commissioner, said that every destroyed dosage of excess medication is a success. “I commend Rockingham Police Department and Medical Center Pharmacy for actively engaging their community in this very important initiative and I thank the public for taking responsibility to dispose of medications in a safe, secure way,” Goodwin said.
Rockingham Police Chief Bill Kelly said that it is better to dispose of the medication because that will prevent small children from having the opportunity to get the medication. “It also prevents someone from getting it and putting it back on the streets,” he said.
According to the statement, to prevent problems from medication that residents do not want to destroy, parents and caregivers should always read labels, follow the directions and give medication to children based of their weight and age, keep medication locked up and out of reach of children and avoid taking medicine or vitamins in front of kids and do not call them candy.
If you suspect poisoning and a child is choking, collapses, can’t breathe or is having a seizure, call 911. Otherwise, take the product to the phone and call the National Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
For more information on Operation Medicine Drop, visit www.ncsafekids.org or call the Rockingham Police Department at 910-895-2468.
Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at ledington@civitasmedia.com.
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