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Federal officials say nearly 5,900 pounds of unwanted and expired drugs were collected in West Virginia during last weekend’s Prescription Drug Take-Back day.
West Virginians participated at more than 100 locations around the state last Saturday.
Officials say the proper disposal of unwanted and unused drugs helps the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies fight against the epidemic of illegal prescription drug abuse.
West Virginia pharmacies are dispensing significantly fewer doses of the state’s most popular prescription painkiller, hydrocodone.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that according to new data from the state’s Controlled Substance Monitoring Program, the number of prescribed hydrocodone products dropped by nearly 13 million tablets last year.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had put tighter restrictions on the medication, which has been linked to hundreds of overdose deaths in West Virginia over the past decade.
Mike Goff, an administrator at the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy, says prescriptions of hydrocodone pills will likely drop by another 9 million by the end of this year.
West Virginia has the highest drug overdose death rate in the nation.
Another prescription drug collection effort will be held in September.
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and other Senate colleagues had asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to reinstate the national initiative after it was discontinued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The DEA announced Tuesday the initiative will be held Sept. 26. Sites will be set up in communities nationwide so residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.
Officials say the collection helps the DEA and other agencies fight against the epidemic of illegal prescription drug abuse.
Bridgeport’s City Council is seeking a federal narcotics investigation unit for the Northern District of West Virginia.
The Exponent Telegram reports that the council unanimously approved a resolution this week asking the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to assign a tactical diversion squad to the region.
Councilman and former DEA agent Lowell J. Maxey says the unit would focus on prescription drugs. That would give the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force more time to investigate other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine
Mayor Bob Greer says he plans to talk to other northern West Virginia mayors about adopting similar resolutions during a West Virginia Municipal League conference next week.