Safe Kids NC steps up its efforts to combat the opioid crisis and promote safe medication disposal practices in North Carolina through its Operation Medicine Drop initiative.
Operation Medicine Drop, led by Safe Kids NC, provides a safe and secure means to dispose of unused or expired medications. With opioids contributing to 79% of drug-related deaths in North Carolina, initiatives like Operation Medicine Drop play a crucial role in preventing misuse and environmental contamination.
“In North Carolina, we lose over 11 lives every day to drug overdoses,” said State Fire Marshal and Safe Kids NC Chair Brian Taylor. “Through initiatives like Operation Medicine Drop, along with our partners such as the National Poison Prevention and the DEA Take Back program, we're empowering our citizens to play a vital role in combating this tragic public health issue.”
Operation Medicine Drop, held during National Poison Prevention Week from March 17 to March 23, 2024, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of poisoning and promote strategies for prevention. Operation Medicine Drop events provide communities across North Carolina with opportunities to safely dispose of prescription medications, addressing the issue of unused or expired drugs in households.
This free program allows individuals a place to securely dispose their unused over the counter and prescription medications. Since its inception in 2010, Operation Medicine Drop has responsibly disposed of over 344 million pills through permanent drop boxes and numerous events statewide.
For more information about Operation Medicine Drop and upcoming events, visit Operation Medicine Drop.