Nearly 50 pounds of medication was collected at the drug takeback program held in Washington. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Police Department, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration teamed up for the initiative. The goal of the program is to give people an opportunity to safely dispose of old medications and prevent pill abuse and theft by getting unused medications out of their homes.

Washington County Sheriff Jared Schneider says 31.4 pounds of pills, both prescription and over the counter medication, as well as 18.4 pounds of liquids were collected.

He said in addition, the Washington County Jail has a 24-hour drop box available for people to dispose of medications. Since October 2019, they have collected 86.4 pounds of medications at the drop box. Schneider says these efforts help prevent environmental hazards and drug abuse.