Caroline County's Information Magazine Since 1980

Drug Take Back Day

by | Mar 29, 2017 | Archives | 0 comments

By John P. Evans III

Figures nationally show that every ten minutes a child is taken to an Emergency Room somewhere for prescription medicine poisoning. That’s why the last Saturday of this month, April 29, will be what amounts to a key day in national law enforcement agency’s war against drugs.

Playing a role as well in the day’s activities will be the Denton police department, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, and county’s health department.

On April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Denton Walmart at 610 Legion Road, the three groups will join together in allowing and encouraging county residents to turn in any unused prescription drugs that have accumulated around their home.

“(Denton police) Chief (Rodney) Cox and myself are very happy to have the opportunity to give the citizens of the county the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring their unused medicines to us for disposal,” said Caroline County Sheriff Randy Bounds. “We’re offering a safe, convenient, responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the public on the dangers of misuse of drugs.”

This is the second straight year the Denton Police is holding the Drug Take Back Day. Last year’s event was held in conjunction with a car show; the Walmart location is sure to increase the number of people who are made aware of the chance to get rid of their unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

“Getting rid of your unwanted and unused prescription drugs will make your home safer,” added Bounds.
Melanie Rodriguez of the county’s health department said the support of the county’s law enforcement agencies should help in adding awareness to the national effort to get unneeded drugs off the streets and out of the house.
“Drug abuse is especially bad in Caroline County,” said Rodriguez. “I hear of a lot of cases where senior citizens (or parents) are prescribed drugs that they don’t use because they don’t like the way it makes them feel so they go to their doctors and get a new medication, but the old one stays in the house. Those old, unused drugs often end up in the hands of younger kids and teens.

“This is an organized way of getting rid of the unused prescription drugs and helping to keep your family safe,” added Rodriguez.

Bounds said the drug drop-off location will be easy to locate. They will be located in front of Walmart near the entrance closest to the pharmacy with both county sheriff and Denton police vehicles marking the spot.
For more information, contact Melanie Rodriguez at melanierodriguez@maryland.gov or the Caroline County Prevention Office at 410-479-8164.

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