Information from WYSH Radio
Local law enforcement agencies teamed up to host Operation Medicine Cabinet at four locations across the county on Saturday, and more than 300 pounds of medicine were collected.
That amount far surpassed the weight from any previous event held in the county since law enforcement agencies began collecting and disposing medicine in 2010. In all, 314.6 pounds of medicine were collected at sites in Clinton, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs, said Stephanie Strutner, executive director for Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention. The medications were disposed by DEA.
More than 135 pounds of paper and plastic containers were collected and recycled as well, according to Geoff Trabalka, Anderson County solid waste director.
The medicine collection event included ASAP and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Oliver Springs Police Department. Drop-off sites included all three Food City locations in the county, as well as a site at Oak Ridge Police Department.
“We are pleased with the community participation for this event,” said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy.
“Not only is this an important event to reduce crime and reduce access to prescription medicine, it is also an important way to ensure these medications do not harm our environment,” Strutner said.
For more information on future collection events, visit www.ASAPofAnderson.org.
Information in this story brought to you through an agreement between Oak Ridge Today and WYSH. See more local news headlines on the WYSH website at http://www.wyshradio.com/local_news.html.
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