• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Friday, May 19, 2017

Operation Medicine Drop

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Yadkin River Keeper, are sponsoring a drug abuse prevention event, Operation Medicine Drop. All Forsyth County residents are encouraged to bring expired or unwanted prescription medications in their homes for proper and safe disposal. Syringes, needles, liquid medications and creams cannot be accepted at this event.

Thursday, May 25th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
G. Galloway Reynolds Community Center
131 Lucy Lane
Lewisville, NC 27023

Since Operation Medicine Drop began in 2009, approximately 52.8 million doses have been turned in by North Carolina residents. Safe and proper disposal of old medications through Operation Medicine Drop helps cut down on prescription drug abuse, environmental damage to streams and rivers and prevents contamination of the local water supply.

Nationwide, fatal drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death due to unintentional injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Prescription and over-the-counter medications cause more than three-fourths of all unintentional poisonings in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Division of Public Health.

The average North Carolinian fills 14 prescriptions annually. Of the drugs dispensed, approximately 40% are not used. The unused medications are often disposed of in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. The introduction of these chemicals is detrimental to aquatic life and those who directly or indirectly drink from the water supply.

For more information about Yadkin River Keeper, please visit: http://yadkinriverkeeper.org/.