ROCKINGHAM — Police and sheriff’s deputies collected nearly 86,000 doses of unused and unneeded medication during last month’s Operation Medicine Drop, part of the 13 tons the State Bureau of Investigation has delivered to be burned.

Rockingham Police collected 27,290 doses of controlled substances, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, said Lt. N.L. Forester of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies collected 58,349 doses, he said.

The total amounted to 4,000 or more doses than in past drives, Forester said, crediting better publicity. For example, churches gave out flyers this time around.

Operation Medicine Drop is a statewide effort to protect North Carolina’s children and water supply. It partners state and local law-enforcement agencies with Safe Kids North Carolina, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina and local anti-drug coalitions.

The SBI said the 13 tons set a record for the disposal of unused medications in North Carolina. In 2017, it said, more than 24 tons of unused medications have been collected and destroyed.

Daily Journal file photo More than 80,000 doses of prescription and other drugs were collected in Richmond County during this year’s Operation Medicine Drop
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_meddroppills.jpgDaily Journal file photo More than 80,000 doses of prescription and other drugs were collected in Richmond County during this year’s Operation Medicine Drop

Staff report