Oklahoma Program Recycles 45,000 Pounds Of Unwanted Medications

An Oklahoma partnership was recognized Monday for success in destroying a million pounds of unwanted prescription medicine nationwide.

Covanta Energy congratulated the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Covanta Tulsa and Oklahoma leaders like Governor Mary Fallin for their contributions to the milestone.

Through the Prescription for Safety program, the groups hold collection events and have containers at sheriff's office and police stations for people to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs. The drugs are taken to Covanta's facility in Tulsa where they are destroyed and turned into safe energy, according to a media release.

All 77 counties in Oklahoma participate in the program, which keeps the drugs off the streets and out of drinking water.

The OBN has collected more than 45,000 pounds of prescriptions across the state.

8/27/2013 Related Story: 2,000 Pounds Of Unwanted Home Medications Destroyed At Tulsa Plant

"Lives will be saved because of this prescription drug take back container and disposal program which is the only one of its kind in the nation. If we save one life, it will be worth it," said R. Darrell Weaver, OBN director.

According to the OBN, prescription drug abuse is responsible for over 80 percent of deaths due to drug overdose and kills more Oklahomans each year than car wrecks.

For information on the drop-off sites available at police stations and sheriff department lobbies across the state, go to the OBN's web site.