Nearly 2,900 pounds and counting of prescription drugs collected locally
File photo by Kyle Green / The Roanoke Times
On April 28, local law enforcement collected nearly 2,900 pounds of unwanted medications at locations in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Vinton, Botetourt and Salem.
In Salem alone 458 pounds of drugs were dropped off as people cleaned out their medicine cabinets.
In Vinton, 335 pounds of medications were turned over for disposal. More than 200 pounds of pills were brought to the Roanoke Civic Center. In Botetourt, officials collected 133 pounds of drugs. And people handed over 187 pounds of drugs in Roanoke County.
The one-day prescription drug take-back day was a success, organizers said with the Roanoke area’s collection outpacing similar drop off points throughout the state.
Locally, the Drug Enforcement Agency has collected over 3,600 pounds of prescription drugs in the Roanoke area since 2010. It represents a per capita rate that is higher than the statewide figures, said Brian McGinn, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office.
Now organizers are hoping to build on that success.
Law enforcement and public health officials contend the drug collection days are vital to preventing prescription drug abuse. Meanwhile, the Western Virginia Water Authority is also getting involved noting that flushing medications down the drain is not good for the water system.
On Saturday, Sept. 29, another prescription drug take-back day will be held. Find a location near you.
September 21, 2012 - 11:23 AM
Considering how little each pill or capsule weighs, nearly a ton and one-half of collected medication is, to me, a staggeringly high figure.
@Jp That’s why I shared the information — I was surprised by the data for the reasons you mention. It’s seems like a lot of unused medication to be sitting unwanted in medicine cabinets throughout the region. And then I think about the money spent on those pills. While some drugs are inexpensive, others most certainly are not.