Rowan County accepting old prescription and over-the-counter drugs

Published 12:00 am Friday, September 7, 2012

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, drug poisoning has surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States and is now the leading cause of death for people 35-54 years old.
This issue has become one the fastest growing public health and safety concerns across the state. Each year, North Carolinians fill an estimated 14 prescriptions annually, totaling more than 127 million prescription drugs.
“The abuse of prescription drugs has increased exponentially in Rowan County and across the state of North Carolina. There are more deaths today from prescription drug overdoses than there were at the height of the heroin crisis in the 1970s or the crack cocaine crisis of the 1990s. The statistics are proof that two-thirds of our young people who abuse prescription drugs obtain them from their home or a friend’s home,” said Rowan County Chief Deputy David Ramsey.
In an effort to address this escalating issue, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office will team with the Rowan County Department of Environmental Management in the sponsorship of a no-questions-asked medication collection event called “Operation Medicine Drop.”
During this event, the Rowan County Sheriff’s office will collect expired, unused and unwanted medications for incineration. This event is free of charge to Rowan County citizens.
“Prescription and over-the-counter medication abuse in our homes creates significant opportunities for unintentional poisonings, illegal distribution, substance misuse or abuse and environmental contamination. Operation Medicine Drop is a wonderful opportunity for our citizens to contribute to the solution. We hope that this biannual event encourages our citizens to properly dispose of all their unused medications,” said Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten.
Operation Medicine Drop will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Rowan County Recycling Processing Center, 1102 N. Long St. Extension, East Spencer.
Questions and concerns should be directed to Ramsey at 704-216-8751.