Project Drug Drop Expands To Fifth Location

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA -- The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad has added a fifth location where residents can anonymously drop off unwanted prescription medications.

The newest box is located in the lobby at the Cherokee County Public Safety Building, which is adjacent to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office at 150 Chattin Drive in Canton.

The drop box allows residents to dispose of unused prescription drugs in a safe and effective manner.

CMANS is responsible for the consolidated efforts of local law enforcement agencies and offices to address drugs in the county. One of the primary initiatives designed to address the public concerns about prescription drug abuse is Project Drug Drop.

While the Drug Enforcement Administration offers a Drug Take-Back day on an annual basis, CMANS offers this service on a routine basis.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Prescription drugs that languish 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 currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants 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.

Project Drug Drop is needed because the U.S. and the Georgia Controlled Substances Act as originally written 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.

Users were flushing their old medicines down the toilet or throwing them in the trash. 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 eventually abuse or sell them.

To give people a more environmentally responsible and secure way to dispose of their medicines, CMANS established its Project Drug Drop 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 state and federal law.

CMANS had previously purchased and located prescription drug take-back boxes in the lobby of the Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs and Ball Ground police departments.

Citizens (no matter where they live) may drop off prescription drugs at these secure drop boxes. CMANS recommends that persons who drop off drugs mark off their names and addresses prior to depositing prescription bottles in the box. No liquids or syringes will be accepted.

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 the Georgia State Patrol.

Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.

Photo: Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds holds an empty prescription bottle next to the drop box located at the Public Safety Building. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office.