MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — The Mount Pleasant Police Department launched its permanent drug take back program Thursday. It’s an on-going program that safely disposes of unused or expired prescription medication.
“OxyContin, oxycodone, Percocet’s, Lortabs, we see those a lot, those are the common ones,” said Cameron Maile, a doctor at Roper Saint Francis hospital.
He said prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic across the nation, and the Lowcountry is include within that.
“We see it in all age groups,” he said. “Tend to see more significant overdoses in those intentionally abusing them which tend to be younger folks. But we see them in older folks as well who unintentionally use them.”
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The Mount Pleasant Police Department officially started the drug take-back program at 10 a.m. Thursday.
“This is an important program for us to be involved in,” says Chief Carl Ritchie. “This take-back box is just one way we are helping stem the prescription pill crisis in our community and our state.”
Residents will be able to drop off any unused or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal at the police department. This take-back box is not equipped to handle liquids, syringes, aerosol cans, or inhalers.