More than 181,000 pills totaling 509 pounds of drugs were collected this weekend in Boone County during the county’s largest-ever drug take-back event.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia Police Department and the MU Police Department took part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The event took place April 27 and 28 at various locations in Boone County, including the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, the MU Student Center and Rock Bridge High School, according to a news release.

Citizens could go to any of the locations at allotted times and drop off unwanted or unused medications for disposal, according to the news release.

The event aims to prevent medications from falling into the wrong hands, which include those of kids, the elderly or pets. One of the benefits of the event is to keep medications from falling into the hands of the youth who may abuse or distribute them inappropriately, according to the news release.

All of the drugs are picked up after the event by the DEA, which disposes of them properly, MUPD officer Kenrick Tucker said. If medications are not properly disposed, there is a risk of contaminating the groundwater.

The event collected about 509 pounds of prescription drugs, which amounts to more than 181,000 pills, Major Tom Reddin of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said.

This event was the most successful take-back Boone County has ever had, Reddin said. The results exceeded those of the last event by four pounds.

These events take place twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, and this event marked the fifth time Boone County has held this event, Reddin said.

“It continues to blossom in popularity in the community,” he said. “We are going to continue to host the event twice every year.”