After collecting approximately 180 pounds of unused prescription narcotics from Bradley County residents last year, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office will be offering its “Drug Take-Back” program again beginning Monday.
The program is done annually by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Last year during the fall, more than 377,000 pounds of “unwanted and expired, unused prescription drugs were turned in by citizens across the country through ‘Operation Medicine Cabinet.’”
According to the DEA, this was the third event.
“As a follow-up to last year’s successful prescription drug collection event, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office will again accept unwanted prescription meds for disposal in an environmentally friendly manner,” said Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for BCSO.
“Residents of Bradley and surrounding counties are encouraged to look through their medicine cabinets and bring any prescription drugs they do not need to the Criminal Investigations office on the south side of the Judicial Center during the week of April 23 through April 28 for disposal,” he added.
Times for collection will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday.
“The Drug Take-Back event gives residents an opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets of accumulated prescriptions which they no longer need, are expired or can no longer take,” Gault said.
Not accepted are hypodermic supplies or radioactive drugs.
“This is a great time to get the unused meds from your medicine cabinet and further your spring cleaning efforts,” Gault added.
The GRAAB Coalition and Chattanooga’s Drug Enforcement Agency are involved as well, according to Sheriff Jim Ruth.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is coordinating the project.
For additional information, contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 728-7336.
