Oct. 5. On Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10 am to 2 pm, the Cornelius Police Department will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Bring your medications for disposal to the Cornelius Police Department side parking lot, located at 21440 Catawba Ave. The Medicine Drop will be on the side closest to where the new Cain Arts Center will be, which is opposite from Walgreens. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
No needles or liquid medications can be accepted.
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 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 Mike Causey. “I commend the Cornelius 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.”
With unintentional poisoning deaths on the rise in the state, Operation Medicine Drop reminds parents and caregivers to:
* Keep medicines locked up and out of reach of children.
* Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children based on their weights and ages. Only use the dispensers packaged with children’s medications.
* Avoid taking medicine or vitamins in front of kids, and don’t call them candy.
* If you suspect poisoning and a child is choking, collapses, can’t breathe or is having a seizure, call 911. Otherwise, take the product to the phone and call the national Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
For information about Operation Medicine Drop, and to find a permanent drop box near you, please go to www.ncsafekids.org. For questions about the Cornelius event, call Cpl. Smith at 704-892-1363.
