ROCKINGHAM — Every day, 44 people die in the United States due to overdoses of prescription painkillers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many of these deaths are accidental and can be prevented through proper disposal of unused drugs in American medicine cabinets, and Operation Medicine Drop has just the prescription people need to cure our community of this growing problem.

‘OFF THE STREETS’

Operation Medicine Drop aims to reduce the chances of all kinds of drugs falling into the wrong hands, especially those for whom they were not prescribed — particularly, young people who may be inclined to raid their parents’ and grandparents’ medicine cabinets in search of opioids (such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet), benzodiazepines (including Valium, Xanax and Ativan), and amphetamine-like drugs (Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta).

Often, adults are prescribed prescription painkillers for short periods of time following injuries and accidents and they do not take all of the medicine. Once they experience relief from their pain, they may stash the leftovers away for later in case it is needed in the future. Few people realize the dangers of keeping such drugs on hand.

During the most recent event in July, the Rockingham Police Department and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office report that Operation Medicine Drop was a success.

“Our coordinated effort removed over 30,000 doses of unused and expired medications from local homes. This keeps these medicines out of the hands of our children and off the streets,” Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly said.

From 9:30-12:30 on Sept. 26, a drop box will be set up inside Medical Center Pharmacy on South Long Drive, Rockingham, and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the same day in the parking lot of the old A&P parking lot off Main Street in Hamlet.

It’s easy to participate in Operation Medicine Drop during the special events held each year, but it is just as simple any day of the week to drop unused medications off at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham Police Department and Hamlet Police Department all through the year.

There are no questions asked and there is nothing to sign.

PAINKILLER DEATHS

Prescription painkillers work by binding to receptors in the brain to decrease the person’s ability to feel pain. They do not stop pain, but only hide it from the brain. These powerful drugs can create a feeling of euphoria (being high), cause physical dependence, and in some people lead to addiction. Prescription painkillers also make people fall asleep and slow down a person’s breathing.

A person who is abusing prescription painkillers might take larger doses to achieve a euphoric effect and reduce withdrawal symptoms. These larger doses can cause breathing to slow down so much that breathing stops, resulting in a fatal overdose.

In 2010, the CDC reported that the majority of prescription medication users — about 55 percent — obtained the drugs for free from friends or family members.

“With community support from businesses like Medical Center Pharmacy, we can remove unwanted medications from circulation and make a positive change in prescription drug abuse in Richmond County,” Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons said.

Operation Medicine Drop promotes the safe disposal of medications throughout the State in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and Safe Kids North Carolina.

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @melonieflomer.

Melonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Pharmacy clerk Sara Speight stands beside a poster announcing the Sept. 26 Operation Medicine Drop at Medical Center Pharmacy, located beside FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital on South Long Drive.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_OperationMedDrop.jpgMelonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Pharmacy clerk Sara Speight stands beside a poster announcing the Sept. 26 Operation Medicine Drop at Medical Center Pharmacy, located beside FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital on South Long Drive.

By Melonie McLaurin

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