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Operation Medicine Drop - Dispose Of Your Unused, Expired Prescriptions
Take-back event offers public safe, secure way  to dispose of their medications.
WHO: The Cleveland County Health Department, Alliance for Health, Safe Kids Cleveland County, ACCES, Cleveland County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department, Kings Mountain Police Department, and Community Care of North Carolina—truly a community collaboration.
WHAT: Prescription drug take-back event where you can safely dispose of your expired, unused prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and keep them out of the wrong hands.
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2011, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
WHERE: Cleveland County Health Department,  315 E Grover Street, Shelby, NC 28150
WHY: Unintentional poisoning from prescription medications is on the rise in North Carolina – since 1999, nearly 4,500 people have died from prescription poisoning. Unused medications that are flushed or poured down the drain pollute the water supply. Flushed drugs aren’t removed in sewage treatment plants or septic tank systems—they enter the soil, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Exposure to drugs found in waterways harm fish and other aquatic life.
Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option for disposing of their prescription and over-the-counter medications to protect their families and the environment.
• More than 75% of all unintentional poisonings are by over-the-counter and prescription medications.
• Approximately 40% of injuries from unintentional poisonings occur in children under five years of age.
• 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription pain medicine.
• 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.
• 1 in 10 teens has abused cough medicine.
Teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses. Make sure your kids and grandkids know that taking them without a prescription is just as dangerous and addictive as using street narcotics and illicit drugs.
For more information on Operation Medicine Drop, you may contact DeShay Oliver, Cleveland County Health Department at 704-484-5199, or Captain Joel Shores, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, at 704-476-3053.

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