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Law Enforcement officials and river conservationists collected a large amount of drugs during Watauga County’s first ever prescription drug take back event on Saturday October 3, 2009. The hugely successful event captured approximately 40,000 pills, 12 gallons of liquid medication, 2000 sharps-needles, syringes and lancets, and a glucose meter. It was so successful that it made front page news in the local Watauga Democrat.
More than 18 volunteers and 8 members of law enforcement from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department, the State Bureau of Investigation, Blowing Rock, Boone and Seven Devils Police Departments participated in the joint operation at four separate locations.
Approximately 56 people turned in their expired, unwanted and unused medications for safe destruction. Drugs collected included hydrocodone, oxycodone, blood thinners, anti-allergens, iodine, insulin, antibiotics, steroids, hormones, anti-depressants, cough syrup, topical creams, over the counter medications, flu vaccinations, heart, blood pressure, cancer and heartburn medicine and even some pet medications. Boone Patrol Officer Toby Ragan said, “I feel it was a great success and it will probably be an annual event now that we see the outcome of what was produced today.” More than one and a half 55-gallon drums were filled with drugs dropped off by residents in the region.
“I am so happy y’all are doing this,” said one participant [names are withheld to protect anonymity]. “It makes so much sense for the health and well being of our kids and the planet - what a wonderful program.”
Other positive responses to the event included “I needed to get rid of the out-of-date drugs because I don’t want prescription drugs around my teenage son” and “Thank you so much for doing this, I didn’t know what to do with all these drugs, I am so grateful that our law enforcement is pro-actively keeping prescription drugs out of teenagers hands.”
Volunteer Crystal Simmons said, “Operation Medicine Cabinet is a result of a MountainKeepers resiliency meeting on January 24, 2009. For the High Country to create such an event is a real testament to our commitment to a healthier environment and a safer community. I give kudos to all the volunteers that helped make this event happen, and to the people that turned out to responsibly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.”
Community partners who helped make the event such a great success included the MountainKeepers, Watauga River Conservation Partners, Boone Drug, Watauga County Recycling/Solid Waste Department, Watauga Riverkeeper/Appalachian Voices, Food Lion, The National Committee for the New River, MPrints, NC Cooperative Extension Service, Precision Printing, the Smoky Mountain Center, Towns of Boone, Blowing Rock and Seven Devils, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Boone Police, the State Bureau of Investigation, Blowing Rock Police, Seven Devils Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Appalachian State University.
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