The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office is again participating in a national effort to keep prescription pills out of the hands of children and others for whom they were not intended.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Take Back initiative is planned for Saturday, April 24.
On that day, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Investigations Sergeant J.K. Davenport said expired, unwanted or unused medications can be dropped off upstairs at the sheriff’s office. Or, the medications can be left in the drop box in the detention center lobby. That box is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Davenport said no liquids or syringes (needles) should be dropped off or left in the collection box. There is no need to remove the labels or take pills out of their original container. Everything collected is boxed and is then picked up and destroyed by the DEA.
“Getting rid of medications that are just lying around the house is important to keeping them away from children, away from young people who might experiment with them, addicts, or those who would sell them,” Davenport said.
“There is always a danger of little children getting into things they shouldn’t, and there is always a temptation for others,” Davenport said.
Prescription drugs, especially pain killers, are targets for anyone looking to sell them. Every single pill is valuable on the street.
Besides an opportunity to get rid of medications, the Take Back day offers an opportunity for citizens to receive any information they might need, Davenport said.
The sheriff’s office is located at 645 West First Street behind the Fannin County Courthouse.
Those entering the main door will enter the detention center lobby where the drop box is located, or go upstairs to the sheriff’s office.