WOODSTOCK, GA — If you have unused medications stored away around your home, you will have an opportunity to safely dispose of those drugs on Saturday, April 28. The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its National Drug Take-Back Day initiative, which provides residents a chance to ensure these medications are discarded in an appropriate manner.

Along with Saturday's initiative, Cherokee residents are reminded that they can use drop boxes in the lobbies of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office's and the Woodstock, Canton, Holly Springs and Ball Ground police departments year-round. CMANS recommends individuals who take advantage of this service to mark out their names and addresses before placing prescription bottles into the box. Please do not bring liquid or syringes to these locations. Prescription drugs in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high; more Americans (6.8 million) currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens like LSD, and inhalants (sniffed household products) combined, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.



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CMANS notes its Project Drug Drop is needed, as the federal and state laws on controlled substances originally "didn't provide a way for patients, caregivers, and pet owners to dispose of such controlled substance medications such as painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants like ADHD drugs."

"People were flushing their old meds down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, but in recent years medicines have been found in the nation's water supplies, and medications were being retrieved from the trash by those who would abuse or sell them," the agency added. Project Drug Drop was established by CMANS in January 2012. Georgia law allows law enforcement officers to properly dispose of drugs as long as certain specific procedures are adhered to. CMANS agents are specially trained to perform this service and to fully comply with all provisions of Georgia and Federal law.

You can visit the DEA's website to check out other Drug Take-Back locations.

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Canton Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County Marshal's Office, District Attorney's Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, and Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.