BERLIN -- The third bi-annual Operation Medicine Drop event, part of the Drug Enforcement Agency National Drug Take Back Day program, held last weekend resulted in a total of 218 pounds of unused or expired medications being turned in by residents for proper and environmentally safe disposal. This was a slight increase over the Fall 2011 Worcester County Operation Medicine Drop.

Once again, the Ocean Pines Food Lion drop off location was the busiest, netting a whopping 109.5 pounds of pills. West Ocean City residents turned in 45.5 pounds of expired and unused medications at the Route 611 Food Lion drop off location, while Berlin Police Department netted 28 pounds.

Ocean City and Snow Hill residents each dropped off 12.5 pounds of meds and the Pocomoke area saw a total of 10 pounds of expired mediations turned in.

The Assateague Coastkeeper, volunteers from Assateague Coastal Trust and the Worcester County Department of Health helped local law enforcement agencies implement the program. All of the turned in medications were collected by local DEA Enforcement officials to be taken to a certified incineration facility for disposal. The method of disposal is the safest way to keep pharmaceuticals out of the waterways and out of the wrong hands.