Six counties take part in medication disposal event

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — People all around the Cape Fear had the opportunity to dispose of medications they don’t need anymore in a safe and controlled way on Saturday.

There were fifteen locations across Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender Counties for people to drop off their drugs.

More than 3,600 pounds of medication and nearly 30,000 syringes and other sharps were collected, according to New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Lisa Edgerton.

Her husband, Michael, says an event like this comes at a great time considering the controversies over opioids and water quality.

“Collecting medications, disposing of them properly really checks a lot of boxes for us. Removes medications from the street which could be abused. Also keeps the meds out of our water supply which should overall improve the health of our community,” said Michael Edgerton, who is the manager of NHRMC’s outpatient pharmacy.

The medications collected Saturday will be transported to the State Bureau of Investigation office in Jacksonville, where they will be incinerated.