Since 2010, Operation Medicine Drop has successfully incinerated more than 266 million pills collected through permanent drop boxes and over 4,000 events across North Carolina. This collaborative effort between Safe Kids North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the State Bureau of Investigation is a convenient and free option for the public to dispose of their prescription and over-the-counter medications.
As executive director at PCCSU, Lillie Malpass emphasized the importance of medication disposal events in keeping the community safe. She highlighted that safe storage and disposal help prevent medications from ending up in the wrong hands, particularly those of youth and children. Community organizations have partnered to provide resources, including lockboxes for medications, as part of these efforts.
For those who are unable to attend events like Operation Medicine Drop, local sheriff’s offices, police departments, and some fire departments maintain permanent medication drop boxes. These drop boxes offer a convenient option for safe medication disposal throughout the year.
Operation Medicine Drop campaigns have successfully incinerated more than 266 million pills collected through permanent drop boxes and over 4,000 events across North Carolina since its inception in 2010. This initiative is a crucial step towards protecting communities from the dangers of unused or expired medications.
