1/10/14 - The Livingston County Community Alliance is reporting a very successful year for its main drug-collection program. The Big Red Barrel, which is currently located at seven police departments around the county, allows residents to anonymously dispose of prescription drugs in an environmentally safe way. Organizers say prescription drugs, especially painkillers, are one of the leading ways for local young people to begin experimenting with substance abuse and can lead to opiate addiction. The Alliance has totaled the numbers from 2013 and found that a total of 828 pounds of prescription drugs were collected, a 40% increase over 2012. At least a third of that increase comes from drugs collected during special appearances by the barrel at Walgreens locations in Hartland, Howell, and Brighton over the summer. Since its inception, the Big Red Barrel has collected more than 1,375 pounds of prescription drugs. (TD)
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