The bi-annual Operation Drug Take Back event returned to Emporia on Saturday and generated almost 300 pounds of prescription drugs.
The cooperative event between local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Agency allows community members to bring their expired prescription drugs to Flint Hills Community Health Center where they are properly disposed of. This event helps reduce prescription drug abuse in communities across the nation.
Emporia Police Detective Dominick Vortherms says these events are vital to the community as drug use affects individuals of all ages.
The final total was 298 pounds. Within the first hour of the event, law enforcement and volunteers had already received over 176 pounds of prescriptions. Vortherms explains proper drug disposal is not only important to the community, but also the environment.
Operation Drug Take Back regularly brings in anywhere between 170 to 300 pounds of prescriptions each event.
