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Medication Drop Box Open for Public Use, Located in the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, No Questions Asked

Nov. 20, 2013. The Project Lazarus Community Coalition of Watauga County is proud to announce the installment of the county’s first medication drop box. The drop box is located in the lobby of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office on 184 Hodges Gap Rd. in Boone and is open for public use between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any unused or expired medications can be dropped off at the Project Lazarus medication drop box with no questions asked. The Sheriff’s Office will dispose of the medications in a way that does not harm the environment and keeps unused medications out of the hands of those who do not need them. 

Logan Shaut, Project Lazarus of Watauga County intern demonstrates how the medication dropbox is used.
Logan Shaut, Project Lazarus of Watauga County intern demonstrates, how the medication dropbox is used.

Sheriff Len Hagaman and Captain Kelly Redmon have both been an integral part of getting the drop box installed and open for public use. Rachel Florence, coordinator for the Project Lazarus Community Coalition of Watauga County, said, “We are so thankful to the Watauga Sheriff’s Office for being such a huge part of this effort to make Watauga County a safer and cleaner place. This drop box is a big deal for our community.” 

The Project Lazarus Coalition is made up of representatives from mental health agencies, the school system, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, youth focused agencies, and healthcare. The coalition works to prevent overdose and abuse from prescription medications through community education, environmental strategies, and evidence based practices. The coalition would like to remind the community to always follow the four guidelines for medication safety:

  • 1. Take medications correctly
  • 2. Store medications safely
  • 3. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly
  • 4. Never share your medications