The Cornelius Police Department will hold “Operation Medicine Drop” on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 am to 2 pm. It 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. The event, which is free and anonymous, will be behind Town Hall. 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.

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 questions about the Cornelius event, call Officer Lawing at 704-892-1363.