Smyrna Police Introduces Drug Take Back Program

SMYRNA, GA -- Residents looking to dispose of excess and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications can now visit the safe and secure permanent drop off location at the Smyrna Police Department. The department has purchased and established a permanent MedReturn drug collection box that is located in the lobby of police headquarters. Police are attempting to reduce the supply of drugs that can potentially harm teens and adults.

According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than six million Americans abuse prescription drugs.

Properly disposing of excess drugs is everyone’s responsibility as a matter of public safety. More than 70 percent of young people abusing prescription pain relievers get them through friends or family, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet. Smyrna citizens won’t have to wait for a specific take-back day to clean out their medicine cabinets.

The collection site is open anytime the Smyrna Police Department lobby is open. Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked. The drug collection unit does not accept the following items: liquids, illegal drugs, ointments, lotions, inhalers, and aerosol cans.

Hypodermic needles and sharps can be dropped off at any City of Smyrna Fire Department.

The drug collection unit is produced by MedReturn, LLC of Grafton, WI. MedReturn, LLC is committed to providing a safe, secure and environmentally friendly way to help law enforcement agencies and communities collect unwanted or expired household medication, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and unused pharmaceuticals.

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