The American Medicine Chest Challenge

Rainelle Medical Center and the city’s fire department will sponsor a health and safety fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Rainelle.

Fire truck rides, fire safety and equipment demonstrations, fire extinguisher training, free health screenings and a fly-in and display by the AirEvac medical helicopter will all be on tap, along with free hots dogs, drinks and snacks. An automobile extrication demonstration is set for 12:30.

In addition, RMC is teaming up with the Rainelle Police Department and the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department to collect unused and expired prescription medicines and other drugs during the health and safety fair.

This “drug amnesty day” is part of the American Medicine Chest Challenge being conducted nationwide to remove potentially dangerous unused and unwanted medications from homes.

“This is a day of amnesty — a safe way to get rid of your stash, whatever is in your stash,” said Rainelle Police Chief J.R. Stevens. “We will make no effort to identify the persons bringing in medicines and drugs.

“Here’s how the collection will work,” Stevens explained. “We will have a locked box with an opening large enough for medicines, and the person will actually place their medicines and bottles into the box themselves.”

Inappropriate use of drugs is both a medical and a law enforcement issue. Stevens said he believes drug addiction is a major contributor to a recent rash of break-ins in Rainelle.

“Cleaning out medicine chests of unused and expired medicines will help reduce this kind of crime,” he said. “I encourage everyone in Rainelle — and, in fact, in all of western Greenbrier and eastern Fayette counties — to take this opportunity to bring in unwanted medicines for safe disposal.”

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com