The Weldon Police Department, in conjunction with Weldon City Schools and DrugCo Discount Pharmacy Wednesday sponsored a citywide drug abuse prevention event named Operation Medicine Drop.

This event specifically targeted individuals who have expired, old, or unused prescription medications in their homes, Captain James Avens said in a press release.

The planned event involved the voluntary turn-in of old or unneeded pharmaceutical drugs with no questions asked.

Avens said the operation was a success and was the first time the police department sponsored such an event.

The police department took in 7,486.25 individual tablets and bottles.

Of that number there was 885.5 units of controlled drugs taken in like Oxycodone and other pain medication, Avens said.

There was 3,590.5 prescription drugs turned in and 2,912.25 over the counter medications turned in as well 98 unknown substances.

The police department will host the event next year, Avens said. “Weldon Police Department, Weldon schools and DrugCo would like to thank the citizens for making this a success.”

Operation Medicine Drop is a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina, NC State Bureau of Investigation, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina and local law enforcement agencies working together to encourage the public to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medication.

By providing safe and secure ways for people to get rid of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, Operation Medicine Drop helps prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse while protecting our waters.

Since 2010, Operation Medicine Drop has collected more than 30 million at almost 1000 events.