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 the Drug Enforcement Agency 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 its 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 social media in the area — the South Whidbey Record, Whidbey News-Times, 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 also helps protect the environment of our island as well.

MARK BROWN

Island County sheriff