Contributed by the Fayette Safe Rx Alliance
On Saturday, April 22nd the 24th Annual DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place in over 4000 locations across the country. Three of those locations are here in Fayette County: Fayetteville Police Department, Peachtree City Police Department, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Take-back sites will be open for collection from 10 am through 2 pm.
Take Back Day aims to provide a convenient and responsible means of disposing of unused and expired prescription drugs.
Collection sites will safely collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Free gifts to participants
Anyone who drops off medications can ask about free Deterra Drug Deactivation Pouches, and free medicine-safe lock boxes. These are two additional ways to keep our homes safe from the misuse of prescription drugs.
Why is DEA takeback day important?
According to Fayette Safe Rx team member Barry Walker, Jr, “DEA Take Back Day is important to me because as a citizen of Fayette County and a law enforcement officer, I see firsthand how prescription drug addiction and abuse decimate families and communities daily. We tend to think of only illicit drugs having a negative impact on our community, but prescription drugs are readily available and often abused by minors as well as adults.”
Another team member, Michael Mumper of Drug Free Fayette, adds, “53% of prescription drugs that are misused are obtained in one’s own home, or the home of a friend or family member. We should treat prescription drugs like any other potentially harmful household item. Ideally we can lock them up with a medicine safe lock box, and securely dispose of them at DEA Take-Back Day or with a drug deactivation pouch like Deterra.”
If you are unable to attend the DEA Take Back day the drop off locations offer year-round prescription drug drop-off.
Fayetteville Police Department
760 Jimmie Mayfield Blvd, Fayetteville, GA 30215
Phone: (770) 461-4441
Peachtree City Police Department
350 GA-74, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: (770) 487-8866
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
145 Johnson Ave, Fayetteville, GA 30214
Fayette Safe Rx Alliance is comprised of several local, regional, and statewide organizations:
- City of Fayetteville Police Department
- Fayette FACTOR and Drug Free Fayette
- In Ryan’s Name, Inc.
- Piedmont Fayette Hospital
- Georgia Department of Public Health, District 4
- Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
- Peachtree City Police Department
- Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative
- Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office
- US Congressman David Scott
For more information visit Drug Free Fayette Safe RX, email DrugFreeFayette@FayetteFACTOR.org, or visit DEA Take Back Day.
