Editor,

I am pleased to announce we just completed another successful “Drug Take Back Day” on Saturday, April 26.

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

The Island County Sheriff’s Office, the Coupeville marshal and the Oak Harbor Police Department teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Agency to collect approximately 400 pounds of unused prescription medication and other drugs from local citizens throughout Whidbey Island.

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

I would like to once again acknowledge the promotional assistance we received from various media in the area, including the Whidbey News-Times, South Whidbey Record, government employees, local businesses and “word of mouth” amongst prior participants.

By spreading the message about this program, the result was a 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.

Finally, my sincere thanks to the Oak Harbor Police Department, which recently installed a drop-box in its lobby.

That box can be used for prescription drug disposal during the interim time between scheduled Drug Take Back events.

Mark Brown

Island County Sheriff