Local law enforcement delivers 270 pounds of unused prescription drugs to DEA

Vicksburg and Warren County Law enforcement officers delivered more than 270 pounds of unused prescription drugs to the Drug Enforcement Agency in Jackson this week.

Nationally, the Drug Enforcement Agency sponsored an official Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department participated at the Vicksburg Mall, collecting three boxes of drugs totaling 34 pounds, according to Deputy Jonathan Hern. The drugs were all voluntarily turned in.

Unused prescriptions can end up in the wrong hands, and they can also lose effectiveness over time, making them dangerous to keep around. The Take Back programs provide a safe way to dispose of any unused and old prescription drugs.

Vicksburg police officers with prescription drugs collected. Left to right: Lt. Jeff Merritt, Crime Prevention Specialist Danielle Williams, Investigator Mario Grady, Investigator Donnie Heggins.

The Vicksburg Police Department had planned two outdoor sites Saturday to encourage the community to discard their unused prescription drugs; however, the weather did not cooperate. Nonetheless, during the past six months, the department has collected 236.5 pounds of unused prescription medications that have been turned in at the station at 820 Veto St.

“We have a large receptacle, like a mailbox, in our lobby, and people come in. They have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week … to drop unused prescriptions and discarded prescriptions so that we can take care of them,” said Capt. Mike Bryant, VPD spokesman.

Bryant said the department is pleased with the results and consider the program a success. Officers delivered 18 boxes of unused prescription medications to the DEA office in Jackson to be destroyed.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Bryant said.

The Warren County Sherriff’s Office also has a Drug Take Back receptacle in its lobby at 1000 Grove St., accessible during business hours.