Pubdate: Thu, 16 Apr 2009
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2009 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact: http://www.citizen-times.com/contact/letters.shtml
Website: http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Jon Ostendorff

US NC: Dea, Local Police To Collected Unwanted Drugs

ASHEVILLE - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will team this
week with local police to collect old and unwanted prescription
medications in what's been dubbed "Operation Pill Crusher."

Officers will collect the drugs at 28 Ingles stores across Western
North Carolina 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Fourteen local law enforcement
agencies in 11 counties are participating.

People may bring any amount of any type of prescription medication
with no questions asked, said John Emerson, the DEA's supervising
agent for North Carolina. The operation is not aimed at enforcing drug
laws. Instead, it is focused on public safety.

"It is a proactive approach to decreasing abuse and preventing kids
from getting a hold of these drugs," Emerson said.

Nearly 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, according to the
DEA. The number increased 80 percent from 2000 to 2006. More people
abuse legal drugs than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy and
inhalants combined, according to the government.

Prescription drugs are the second-most abused substance among
teenagers in the U.S. Old medication left at home can easily fall into
the hands of children, Emerson said.

Prescription drugs are a growing problem among students at Asheville
and Buncombe County schools, authorities said.

"We're seeing as much of this if not more than we are marijuana, crack
cocaine and those sort of substances," Buncombe County Sheriff Van
Duncan said. And, dumping drugs in the trash or down the drain could
harm the environment, Asheville Police Chief Bill Hogan said. "This is
a wonderful program because a lot of times folks flush these into our
sewer system or water supply system," Hogan said. "It does affect the
water supply system." People on Saturday should bring drugs in their
original containers when possible so that authorities will know what
kind of substances they are collecting.

Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland, whose deputies will be collecting
drugs at three Ingles locations, said he hopes the operation will make
a dent in the abuse problem.

"During the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in
individuals selling their legally obtained prescriptions - resulting
in the death of those abusing them," he said.

Emerson said other public drug disposal operations in North Carolina
have been successful.

Law enforcement in Charlotte took 110,000 pills off the streets. In
Carteret County, they got 40,000, and in New Hanover County they
collected 90,000. Emerson is hoping for an even bigger collection on
Saturday. "It is no questions asked," he said. "Old medication you are
not taking, you just bring it and we will dispose of it properly and
keep the environment safe." Staff writer Mike McWilliams contributed
to this report.
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