Operation Medicine Drop is a collaborative effort between Safe Kids North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the State Bureau of Investigation to promote safe medication disposal and protect communities from the dangers of unused or expired medications. Since its inception in 2010, Operation Medicine Drop has successfully incinerated more than 266 million pills collected through permanent drop boxes and over 4,000 events across North Carolina.
Lillie Malpass, executive director at PCCSU, emphasized the importance of medication disposal events in keeping the community safe. She noted that safe storage and disposal help prevent medications from ending up in the wrong hands, particularly those of youth and children. Community organizations have partnered to provide resources, including lockboxes for medications, as part of these efforts.
Local sheriff’s offices, police departments, and some fire departments maintain permanent medication drop boxes for those who are unable to attend events like Operation Medicine Drop. These drop boxes offer a convenient option for safe medication disposal throughout the year.
In addition to permanent drop boxes, Operation Medicine Drop also organizes medication collection events that take place throughout North Carolina. These events provide an opportunity for individuals to safely dispose of their prescription and over-the-counter medications by dropping them off at designated locations.
Overall, Operation Medicine Drop is an important initiative that helps keep communities safe by promoting safe medication disposal practices and preventing unused or expired medications from falling into the wrong hands.
