When the Roanoke Rapids Police Department first began its prescription return program, it got 32 pills, Deputy Chief Tommy Hathaway said.

Last year, the third year of the take-back program, it got 22 ½ pounds.

The program, in which old and unused prescription and other medication is taken to the police department, enters its fourth year and the police department will be outside Walmart on October 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the campaign.

For those who can’t make it to take-back day, the police department has a drop-off box inside the station it got through a $2,700 grant from the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators.

The box already contains several old medications as well as insulin needles.

Last year during the take-back, Hathaway said the drugs dropped off included morphine sulfate, hydrocodone and Xanax as well as aspirin and other over-the-counter medications.

Besides obvious health concerns with taking outdated medications, there are legal implications that come into play when they are given to others.

This comes up frequently with prescription painkillers when a person in pain may ask a friend for some. “That’s when it crosses the line,” Hathaway said. “If you give somebody a prescription medication you have committed a drug violation.”

The simple act of giving a friend your prescription medication is considered delivery of a controlled substance, Hathaway said, while your acceptance of it is considered possession.

There are other considerations, the deputy chief said. They include not taking into consideration how the drug will interact with other prescription medications. “They can get in the wrong hands. Children can go in your medicine cabinet and even people in your house can go in your medicine cabinet. It prevents them from being flushed into the water system or going into a landfill.”

There have been medical issues reported from children who participate in Skittles parties were they mix prescription medicine in a bowl to see what they will do when ingested, Hathaway said.

More awareness and publicity about the take-back program has helped increased participation. “A lot of pharmacists are advising people on it.”

For more information on the program call the police department at 252-533-2810 or to use the drop box simply go by the police department during regular business hours and inform the front desk you have medicine that you want to deposit.