Editor,

I am pleased to announce we just completed another successful “Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, April 29.

My sincere thanks to the City of Oak Harbor and the Town of Coupeville in helping to make this an island-wide event.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office and the Coupeville Marshal’s Office teamed up with DEA to collect approximately 140 pounds of unused prescription medication and other drugs from local citizens throughout Whidbey Island. The Oak Harbor Police Department maintains a drop-box in their lobby where prescription drugs can be dropped off daily, therefore they do not need to participate in the “one day event.”

A lot of narcotics with highly addictive potential were taken out of the medicine cabinets in our community and will subsequently be destroyed in accordance with federal regulations thanks to this team effort.

I would like to once again acknowledge the advertising assistance we received from media in the area — the Whidbey News-Times, South Whidbey Record, Drew’s list, government employees, local businesses and “word of mouth” amongst prior participants to mention a few.

Spreading the message about this program resulted in another very successful collaborative event that not only brings awareness to the inherent danger of “unused” prescription medication but helps protect the environment of our island as well.

Sheriff Mark Brown

Island County