(Cushing, Okla.) Cushing police took possession of a new, much-anticipated item today at City Hall – a drug “take back box” from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD). The box was presented by OBNDD Director Darrell Weaver to Police Chief Terry Brannon, City Manager Steve Spears and State Representative Lee Denney.
“The take back box will afford every citizen in the Cimarron Valley a safe, trusted place to return unused pharmaceutical drugs verses throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet,” Chief Brannon said.
Rep. Denney set the example by making the first deposit – a variety of medications that had belonged to her mother-in-law before she passed away. Denney expressed her gratitude to the OBNDD for placing such a repository in Cushing.
“I think it is exciting to have this in rural Oklahoma,” Denney said. “Usually it is the bigger cities that receive them. And rural communities are not immune to drug problems.”
OBNDD Director Weaver said prescription drug abuse continues to be a growing problem and that the take back box will allow for the proper disposal of narcotics that may otherwise become accessible to a drug user. He also said – coming from a small community himself – he would love to see the drop boxes in every community.
The citizen take back box is part of the Oklahoma Safe Trips for Scripts Program. The take back box program was launched April 1, 2011 with the first box being placed in Harrah, Oklahoma. Since then it has been estimated that over 1,000 lbs. of pharmaceuticals have been returned for disposal.
“We appreciate the trust and confidence shown in our police department by the OBNDD given their willingness to place a take back box in our community,” Spears said.
“The take back box will be located in the police station lobby and will be available to all citizen 24/7,” Chief Brannon said. “It also gives us an opportunity to intentionally connect with our citizens when they come to the police department.”
Chief Brannon also urged citizens – especially seniors – who may not be able to drive to the station to get rid of unwanted medications, to call him at 918-225-1212.
“I have not forgotten that our police department belongs to the people and we are here to serve them better,” Brannon said. “This is now supported further by the placement of the take back box in our lobby.”
Others attending the presentation were Mel Woodrow, OBNDD Agent in Charge, Milton Edminsten, OBNDD Chief Agent of the Drug Diversion Program, Larry Carter, OBNDD Diversion Unit Head, Bob Cook, OBNDD Chief Agent of Enforcement, and Cushing Deputy Police Chief Tully Folden.
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