Press Releases
Today U.S. Representative Hal Rogers (KY-05) visited Perry and Leslie Counties to recognize community leaders and to announce Operation UNITE's new resource in the war against drugs.
Congressman Rogers joined Operation UNITE for "Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet" Day in Perry County. The Kentucky Army National Guard is lending UNITE two incinerators to destroy prescription pills that are out-of-date or unwanted. UNITE dubbed the incinerators the "Pill Dragons."
"One of our biggest battles in the fight against drugs begins in medicine cabinets across the region," said Rogers. "Unused or out of date prescription drugs are sometimes abused by family members or friends who find them right inside our homes. Now, we can dispose of those drugs safely by burning them in these units."
Residents dropped off more than 1,600 prescription pills to be burned. Local law enforcement agencies also used the incinerator to dispose of old evidence from closed criminal cases.
"The incinerator provides a double service to our region," said Karen Engle, President and CEO of Operation UNITE and PRIDE. "We are destroying drugs that could fall into the hands of abusers and we're doing it in an environmentally safe way. Flushing old medications has become a household habit that we need to break before our water system becomes heavily polluted by prescription pills."
The two incinerators will be housed in Laurel and Pike Counties for use in all 29 counties across Kentucky's 5th Congressional District.
Congressman Rogers also presented several awards in Perry and Leslie Counties. The Perry County Fiscal Court received the PRIDE 1st Place Trophy for recruiting the most volunteers county-wide during the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup in April with nearly 4,000 volunteers. The City of Hyden won the 1st Place Trophy for having the most volunteers in a city with more than 700 people.
Rogers encouraged each community to continue volunteering for UNITE and rallied participation for the upcoming Roadside PRIDE events in October.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
Congressman Rogers joined Operation UNITE for "Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet" Day in Perry County. The Kentucky Army National Guard is lending UNITE two incinerators to destroy prescription pills that are out-of-date or unwanted. UNITE dubbed the incinerators the "Pill Dragons."
"One of our biggest battles in the fight against drugs begins in medicine cabinets across the region," said Rogers. "Unused or out of date prescription drugs are sometimes abused by family members or friends who find them right inside our homes. Now, we can dispose of those drugs safely by burning them in these units."
Residents dropped off more than 1,600 prescription pills to be burned. Local law enforcement agencies also used the incinerator to dispose of old evidence from closed criminal cases.
"The incinerator provides a double service to our region," said Karen Engle, President and CEO of Operation UNITE and PRIDE. "We are destroying drugs that could fall into the hands of abusers and we're doing it in an environmentally safe way. Flushing old medications has become a household habit that we need to break before our water system becomes heavily polluted by prescription pills."
The two incinerators will be housed in Laurel and Pike Counties for use in all 29 counties across Kentucky's 5th Congressional District.
Congressman Rogers also presented several awards in Perry and Leslie Counties. The Perry County Fiscal Court received the PRIDE 1st Place Trophy for recruiting the most volunteers county-wide during the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup in April with nearly 4,000 volunteers. The City of Hyden won the 1st Place Trophy for having the most volunteers in a city with more than 700 people.
Rogers encouraged each community to continue volunteering for UNITE and rallied participation for the upcoming Roadside PRIDE events in October.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.