Staff report
ROCKINGHAM — Medical Center Pharmacy, located at 805 S. Long Dr., Rockingham, is participating in the annual Medication Takeback event this week.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m .to noon on Saturday, those with unwanted, unused or expired medication can bring each dose to the pharmacy to dispose of them in a safe manner — no questions asked.
Official billed as Operation Medicine Drop, the initiative is held in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s 9th annual National Take Back Initiative. It is a coordinated effort by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Safe Kids North Carolina, the DEA, the State Bureau of Investigation, Riverkeepers of NC and local groups to prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and protect our waters.
“Every time we collect and destroy a dosage of excess medication, it’s a success. We’re keeping these drugs out of the wrong hands and out of our waterways,” said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.
With unintentional poisoning deaths on the rise in the state, Operation Medicine Drop reminds parents and caregivers to:
- Keep medicines locked up and out of reach of children.
- Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children based on their weights and ages. Only use the dispensers packaged with children’s medications.
- Avoid taking medicine or vitamins in front of kids, and don’t call them candy.
- If you suspect poisoning and a child is choking, collapses, can’t breathe or is having a seizure, call 911. Otherwise, take the product to the phone and call the national Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
For more information about Operation Medicine Drop, and to find a permanent drop box near you, please go to www.ncsafekids.org.
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