The Rome Police Department’s drug take back event was a success!

The police department’s Drug Take-Back event on Saturday was a success, and the next one is in the works, according to Detective James Boyer.

“It was a success,” said Boyer of the event held as part of a national campaign. The items collected Saturday were turned over to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Law enforcers were standing by at the police station on North James Street to collect all unwanted, expired and unused prescription medications. The department holds these events about once every six months, and the next one is being planned, Boyer said.

These events are not the only chance for people to drop off these items. “The ability to drop off unnecessary medications at the police department can be done on a daily basis” at a container in the lobby, noted Boyer.

The department, said Boyer, “is extremely appreciative of the public’s efforts to get these unused medications off the streets.”

The nationwide program was designed to help people safely dispose of their old medications rather than let them fall into the wrong hands. When old drugs are thrown away or flushed down the toilet, they can become a potential environmental health risk, authorities added.