On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Benson Police Department will partner with local pharmacies to give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft, by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
The first Operation Medicine Drop event will take place on Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Wood Pharmacy, located at 1402 North Johnson Street. On Wednesday, a second Operation Medicine Drop event will take place from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Carlie C’s IGA Pharmacy, located at 604 South Wall Street.
Benson Police Captain Greg Percy, the local event coordinator, said “Our purpose for holding two events, with both daytime and evening hours, is to provide ample opportunity for the public to dispose of their unwanted or unneeded medications. We want everyone to have a chance to take advantage of this valuable service.”
Operation Medicine Drop is held in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s Annual National Take Back Initiative. It is a coordinated effort by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Safe Kids North Carolina, the DEA, the State Bureau of Investigation, Riverkeepers of NC and other local groups, to prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and protect our waters.
“Every time we collect and destroy a dosage of excess medication, it’s a success. We’re keeping these drugs out of the wrong hands and out of our waterways,” said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “I commend the Benson Police Department 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.”
For more information about the Operation Medicine Drop in Benson contact the Benson Police Department at 919-894-2091. For additional information about the Operation Medicine Drop program, visit www.ncsafekids.org.
