National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday
From Special Reports
Coweta County will join in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” which takes place on Saturday, October 28.
This bi-annual drive-through event is an opportunity for people to safely dispose of unused prescription medication at one of the collection sites that will be managed by Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Newnan Police Department, Keep Newnan Beautiful, COWETA FORCE, and DRUG FREE COWETA. Disposal is completely anonymous.
This DEA Take Back Day event offers Coweta County residents the opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, and helps prevent medication abuse by removing unused medication from the home.
The hours of this event are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Law enforcement and DRUG FREE COWETA will be onsite in a drive-through event format at the following locations:
• Newnan Police Department: 1 Joseph-Hannah Blvd, Newnan, GA, 30263
• Cornerstone Church: 2956 Hwy. 154 (Sharpsburg McCollum Road), Newnan, GA, 30265
The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag. Participants are encouraged to remove any identifying information from the prescription label but it is not required. The following medications may be dropped off during the event:
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines (in pill form only)
• Prescription patches
• Pet medicines (in pill form only)
• Liquid medications are acceptable – The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected without the batteries.
For more information about the DEA’s “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” initiative, visit takebackday.dea.gov.
Common Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I help with this event?
A: Yes, please sign up at https://forms.gle/BAGJ7NQygYgXrbVTA
Q: Are there any limitations on what I can drop off?
A: Yes. We currently cannot accept Sharps, things in metal containers, or anything that is pressurized.
Q: Do I have to give my contact information?
A: No. This is anonymous. No questions asked. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your car.
Q: Do I need to mark out my personal information on the RX bottles?
A: No. Once dropped off, the collected drugs are handled only by law enforcement, weighed, and then incinerated.
Q: What if I cannot make it to the drop-off sites on that particular day and time?
A: There are permanent drop boxes accessible 24/7, located outside of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Also, some CVS pharmacies will take back unwanted medications.
About DRUG FREE COWETA
The mission of the DRUG FREE COWETA is a community coalition that aims to positively impact youth to reduce substance-using behaviors that may result in unintended, negative consequences. The vision is to Prevent opioid and marijuana abuse and misuse through a focus on three key areas: developing guidelines for prescribers; implementing prevention curriculum in middle and high schools; and encouraging all families and individuals to “lock up” medications and safely dispose of them.
Website: www.drugfreecoweta.org
Phone number: 770-716-2797
Email: [email protected]
Follow Us: https://www.facebook.com/drugfreecoweta
