The Cherokee Indian Police Department assisted with the drug take-back event known as Operation Medicine Drop on Saturday, March 24. Over 25,000 dosage units were turned in from the community.
A total of 25,654 dosage units of medication and pills were collected at Operation Medicine Drop locations on Cherokee trust lands on Saturday, March 24. (CIPD photo)
In all, a total of 25,654 medication dosage units were turned in including:
* Controlled 4,846
* Over-The-Counter 4,823
* Unknown 828
* Prescription 15,055
* Veterinary 102
Cherokee Chief of Police Ben Reed said, “Thank you to all of our volunteers that made this a successful event including: Charlene Owle and Loretta Kirby (Housing); Julie Maney, Brenda Cruz, Denise Ashenfelter, and Paige Crowe (WIC); Heather James and Valorie Welch (EBCI Cooperative Extension); and Mag Teesateskie (Snowbird Recreation).”
There were three drop off points including Cherokee Food Lion, Snowbird Community Building and the Cherokee County Community Building.
Operation Medicine Drop is a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, Riverkeepers of North Carolina, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina, and local law enforcement agencies working together to encourage the public to safely dispose of unwanted and unused medication. By providing safe and secure ways for people to get rid of prescription and over-the-counter medications, Operation Medicine Drop helps prevent accidental overdoses and drug abuse while protecting our waters.
North Carolina holds its Annual Operation Medicine Drop the fourth week of March to coincide with Poison Prevention Week.
– Cherokee Indian Police Department
