By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@cordele
dispatch.com

CORDELE — Saturday, September 26 is National Prescription Take Back Day and local law enforcement agencies are doing their part to help ensure unused prescriptions do not fall into the wrong hands.
“Both the Cordele Police Department and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office have drop off boxes at their locations,” said Ssgt. Jeremy Taylor of the Cordele Police Department. “It is not a competition between the two agencies as to who can collect the most. We want to work together to make sure unused prescription drugs are disposed of properly.”
The purpose of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is to help prevent drug abuse and accidental poisonings. It is completely confidential and no personal information is taken.
Taylor said that although Saturday is the official nationwide initiative, both the CPD and CCSO have drop off boxes year round.
“The sheriff’s office has had theirs for several years,” he said. “We just got ours within the last year.”
In the last few months the CPD has collected 55 lbs of prescription drugs. Taylor advised the importance of proper disposal of prescription medication. He said dumping in the toilet can lead to the drugs reaching and contaminating our water source. Simply throwing them in the trash could lead to kids, pets or addicts coming into contact with them and even dealers who would sell unidentified pills on the streets.
When dropping off items the following are accepted: Prescriptions, Prescription Patches, Prescription Medications, Prescription Ointments, Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, samples, and medications for pets.
Items that should not be placed in the collection unit include; Hydrogen Peroxide or other liquids, thermometers, inhalers, aerosol cans, medications from businesses or clinics, needles or other sharps.
Citizens are encouraged to visit www.dea.gov for more information on proper disposal of prescription drugs and additional convenient disposal locations