DURHAM, N.C. –  The Durham County Sheriff’s Office and the Durham County Department of Public Health are teaming up to collect potentially dangerous over-the-counter and prescription medications as part of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

While the national event will take place on April 30, Durham County citizens will get the chance to drop off their old and unused medications on Thursday, April 28 at the Human Services Building located at 414 East Main Street in Durham. Operation Medicine Drop starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Citizens should bring their medications to the lobby— no questions asked.

All medications given to the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Public Health during Operation Medicine Drop are taken to an incinerator and destroyed.

“We are happy to partner with the Sheriff’s Office for such an important community event,” says Durham County Public Health Director Gayle B. Harris. “Events such as Operation Medicine Drop are just another way that we work to protect the health of Durham residents every day.”

Operation Medicine Drop aims to keep medications out of the wrong hands. More children under the age of 6 are treated at emergency rooms because of accidental poisonings compared to children involved in vehicle crashes.

Medications are also the target of home break-in suspects who steal prescription pills and sell them for profit. A recent Durham County Sheriff’s Office sting netted 20 tablets of Oxycodone. Prescription medications are the second most abused drugs among teenagers.

"We want to protect all Durham County citizens, especially our most vulnerable citizens," said Sheriff Mike Andrews. "We want to prevent accidental poisonings and illegal drug crimes. Our goal is to keep medication from falling into the wrong hands."

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