Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to join New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon in drug take-back event on Wednesday Commissioner to highlight life-saving efforts, distribute grant during Southeast N.C. trip

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon will hold an Operation Medicine Drop drug take-back event Wednesday, April 14, at the New Hanover County Detention Facility in Castle Hayne.

Operation Medicine Drop events are held throughout the state in an effort to curb the state’s opioid crisis and save lives. The New Hanover Sheriff’s office OMD event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Commissioner Causey and Sheriff McMahon will have a media availability at 11 a.m.

OMD is a program within the Department of Insurance designed to ensure unused or expired medication is properly disposed of and kept out of the wrong hands. Since the first North Carolina take-back event in 2010, the program has collected more than 232 million pills, supported more than 3,893 events and assisted in the placement of more than 452 drop box locations.

Commissioner Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, will present SAVE Awards to Wilmington firefighters Eli Venecia and Josh Gibson, who were credited with saving the life of a 6-month-old in January when they properly installed a child seat in a car that was later totaled in a car crash.

Save Awards are presented to individuals or groups that go beyond the call of duty.

Commissioner Causey will also present awards to Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Programs in Pender and New Hanover counties for their efforts in helping Medicare beneficiaries in those counties.

During a stop at the Union Rescue Squad in Pender County, Commissioner Causey will deliver a $13,875 ceremonial check. The grant is a part of a statewide $1.6 million program assisting 120 rescue squads.

Commissioner Causey will also visit a child passenger safety training class.

Here is Commissioner Causey’s public schedule for the day:

9:15 a.m. – Union Rescue Squad Inc. (Grant presentation)

8590 N.C. 11, Willard, N.C. 28478

 

10:00 a.m. – Pender Adult Services (SHIIP award)

901 S. Walker St., Burgaw, N.C. 28425

 

11:00 a.m. – New Hanover County Detention Facility (OMD take-back event)

3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, N.C. 28429

 

11:45 a.m. – New Hanover Senior Resources (SHIIP award)

2222 S. College Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28403

 

1:30 p.m. – Wilmington Fire Department Station 3 (Visit child passenger safety class)

114 Cinema Drive, Wilmington, N.C.28403

 

2 p.m. – Wilmington Fire Department Station 2 (SAVE Award)

3403 Park Ave., Wilmington, N.C. 28403