Big numbers can be impressive, and in the case of Operation Medicine Drop held Wednesday in Mount Airy, the number was 21,282.

That’s how many individual dosage units, or pills, of prescription medications were collected during a four-hour period in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The public was encourage to bring unwanted or expired drugs to a tent there manned by local law enforcement, health and pharmacy representatives.

The goal was helping to lessen a growing threat posed by the abuse of prescription drugs that fall into the wrong hands as well as cases of accidental poisonings from them.

Despite the fact the event was being conducted for the first time, organizers were pleased with the public’s response and volume of drugs received.

In comparison to what city police normally would seize during drug investigations, Wednesday’s haul was extensive, leading Chief Dale Watson to say that those manning the tent were “overwhelmed” by the amount. The 21,282 pills taken off the streets dwarfs the 274.5 dosage units seized by Mount Airy officers during an entire four-month period recently.

Among the many varieties received Wednesday were Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Oxycontin and morphine, which are some of the most widely abused narcotic prescription drugs on the street.

People were allowed to drop off drugs in an anonymous manner with no questions asked. Information about the type of medications collected was recorded before their disposal.

Wednesday’s event was a cooperative effort that was part of a statewide initiative sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and State Bureau of Investigation.

In addition to Mount Airy police and the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, the Surry Health and Nutrition Center helped coordinate Operation Medicine Drop. Another agency involved was the Northwest Piedmont unit of Safe Kids North Carolina.

Lt. Jim Armbrister of the city police Community Services Division expressed thanks to Wal-Mart Thursday for allowing use of its parking area for the program.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.