The collection was held April 2 at Fonner Park.

Clean Community System spokesman Rodger Williams said just more than 70 pounds were prescription drugs. About 4.5 pounds were over-the counter medications.

"The majority were antibiotics, anti-depressants, blood thinners and pain killers," he said.

A total of 70 vehicles dropped off the medications from Grand Island, rural Hall County and Merrick County households.

Fifty-four percent of the participants said had the collection not been held, they would have disposed of the medications in the trash, 30 percent would continue to hold them and 16 percent would have flushed them.

The collection was organized as a way to safely dispose of the medicines as most wastewater treatment plant systems do not remove medicines. Disposal was also meant to prevent drug access to minors and to alleviate drug mix-ups problems with senior citizens.

"Nearly all the drugs were disposed of because they had expired or were no longer being taken," Williams said.

The drugs collected were incinerated by the Hall County Sheriff's Department.