Dorchester Banner/Paul Clipper Representatives from the Cambridge Police Department, the Hurlock Police Department, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department, Craig’s Drug Store, Dorchester County Health Department and Gootee’s Marine joined the Partnership for a Drug Free Dorchester in a dedication of the new “MedRxReturn” drug drop-off box at the Edward E. Watkins Complex on Washington Avenue in Cambridge.[/caption]

CAMBRIDGE—Partnership for a Drug Free Dorchester (PDFD) held a thank you ceremony Friday, January 9, for the benefit of the county people and departments that have assisted the PDFD in their county-wide drug take back initiative. The meeting was hosted by Charlene Jones, PDFD Coordinator, at the Edward E. Watkins Complex on Washington Avenue.

The ceremony also served as a dedication and presentation of the new “MedRxReturn” receptacle at the Complex, where residents can easily and privately drop off unused and un-needed prescription drugs. This is the first drug take-back receptacle in the county, though others have been requested and are planned for the future. Craig’s Drug Store in Cambridge has been active in the drug take-back initiative, as have other drug stores in the area.

The Partnership for a Drug Free Dorchester provides substance abuse prevention services and community awareness of substance abuse for the benefit of the residents of Dorchester County. Their main effort is to involve community members in achieving changes in local public policies and practices that reduce access to and abuse of substances in the county.

In the four years the PDFD has been in existence they have collected and disposed of nearly 1100 pounds of unused prescription medicines.

Citations and proclamations were given to the Cambridge Police Department, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department, Hurlock Police Department, Craig’s Drug Store, Dorchester Health Department, Gootee’s Marine, Eldorado-Brookview Volunteer Fire Company and the Church Creek Volunteer Fire Company.

Hurlock Mayor Joyce Spratt presented a proclamation to the Hurlock Police Department, on behalf of the Hurlock Town Council, for their support of the PDFD. Senator-elect Addie Eckardt also presented a citation to the Dorchester County Health Department for their support of the drug take-back initiative, and separate citations to all the other agencies involved.