Drug Take Back Days offer safe disposal
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia (UNG) is working with local law enforcement to safely dispose of prescription and non-prescription drugs this spring as part of the Jed Foundation strategic action plan.
“The UNG Department of Public Safety is pleased to partner with Student Affairs to offer this resource for our University Community. We believe this event contributes to our efforts to reduce the improper use of prescription drugs and provides a method for disposing of illicit drugs without any questions," Greg Williams, director of Public Safety and chief of police, said.
There will be two Drug Take Back Amnesty Days. The first will take place at UNG's Dahlonega Campus on March 6 on the Hoag Patio from noon to 6 p.m. and at UNG's Gainesville Campus on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center in the hallway between the Robinson Ballroom and Student Counseling.
We don’t care what it is and nobody will get in trouble in any way for turning in the substances.
Dr. Simon Cordery
UNG director of student counseling
"This is an opportunity for our entire community to turn in old prescription medications and other drugs including illegal drugs," Dr. Simon Cordery, UNG director of Student Counseling, said. "We don’t care what it is and nobody will get in trouble in any way for turning in the substances."
The person will place the drugs in a plastic baggie provided by UNG and drop the drugs in a secure bin while having their privacy protected by a curtain. UNG Public Safety staff will be manning the event along with Student Counseling, and will collaborate with local law enforcement agencies for proper disposal.
"Getting rid of unused drugs is a healthy personal decision as it removes temptations to improperly or illegally use drugs, but it also is a way to dispose of unused drugs without polluting our water sources," Dr. Alyson Paul, UNG associate vice president and dean of students for the Gainesville and Cumming campuses, said.
Most of the people who take heroin started by abusing prescription opioids that were prescribed or obtained from family and friends. Disposing of these properly rather than having them laying around will help reduce access to this unfortunate pathway, Cordery said.
"An increasing number of the drugs purchased on the streets are laced with fentanyl, an absolutely deadly substance. Having a drug take back day may help get some of these drugs off the streets," Cordery said.
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for the nation's teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today and tomorrow.
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