National Drug Takeback Day a Success in Stephens County

National Prescription Drug Takeback Day set records nationally, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was Saturday, October 28th and according to the DEA, a record-setting 456 tons of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs were turned in for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites nationwide

That’s almost six tons more than was collected at last spring’s event.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley says almost 100 pounds of prescription drugs were dropped off at two locations in the County.

And while they didn’t break any records in Stephens County, the Sheriff said it was still a success.

“The Sheriff’s office participated in the National Drug Takeback Day. We have two drop-off boxes, one in the government building and one at the jail. As a result, we were able to get 50lbs of medications from the jail and 40lbs of prescription drugs from the government building,” he explained.

Now in its 8th year, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events continue to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens.

And the Sheriff says that’s exactly what happened to one Stephens County teenager several years ago.

“We had a tragedy where a 14yr old girl literally died in front of us,” Shirley said. “The EMT’s and paramedics could not save her. She had gotten into her mothers precriptions and took two different types that were toxic and there was not saving her.”

The Sheriff said the prescription drugs were turned over the to the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office who had them incinerated.