MORGANTOWN — Area law enforcement is taking part in the 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, coordinated and facilitated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer said the DEA hosts two drug take back events a year, in April and October. He said his department has been an active participant in the program about a dozen times.
October’s event collected 5,473 pounds of drugs in West Virginia, according to information from the DEA. In total over 4,500 tons of pharmaceuticals have been destroyed since the program began in 2010, a letter from the DEA states.
Palmer said the event is “no questions asked,” and those dropping off drugs don’t have to sign anything or give their names.
He said common users of the program are those who’ve lost loved ones who had prescription medications. People want to be able to safely dispose of the medicines, but any drug will be accepted, Palmer said.
Syringes will not be accepted, Palmer said.
The event will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies manning collection points at Suncrest Towne Centre Kroger, Pierpont Pharmacy, and the sheriff’s department downtown, Palmer said.
Capt. Matt McCabe, of the Morgantown Police Department, said MPD also participates in the program and will man stations at Kroger stores on Earl L. Core Road and Patteson Drive.
