First State Prescription Drug 'Take Back Box' Debuts in Forsyth County

UPDATE: (April 4, 2012, 9 a.m., toxicity concerns, types of drugs accepted)

The first 'Prescription Drug Take Back Box' in Georgia was unveiled recently at the south precinct of the .

The box provides a depository for unwanted prescription drugs from households.

It came about through a grant the sheriff's office applied for after realizing in 2010 that efforts were needed to concentrate more on what’s happening in the community with prescription drugs.

"We are definitely aware that the trends and the data are there to support that within an age group of 12 to age 17 that the substance of abuse has become prescription drugs," said Sheriff Paxton during a press conference March 27.

Paxton said the availability of those drugs are typically from the home where another family member may have had a prescription for a perfect legitimate medical reason.

In many cases after the medications are not taken any longer, for whatever reason, the drugs potentially fall into the hands of teenagers in the home.

Statewide, Paxton said a growing number of young people are becoming addicted to prescription drugs such as Oxycodone, Lortab, Valium and Xanax.

Paxton also said prescription drug overdose deaths are up by 15 percent in the state since the Georgia Bureau of Investigation began tracking them in 2008. The sheriff's office is hopeful that number will decrease with the box.

The 'Drug Take Back Box' was made possible by a grant from Georgia’s National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI).

“We chose your county for various reasons to include your active and continued role in helping to fight prescription drug abuse and diversion,” said Adrienne Baker, president of Georgia NADDI.

Prior to getting the box, the sheriff's office has been proactive in setting up several formal prescription drug drop-offs throughout the county with great success.

In 2010, 128 pounds of drugs were collected, and in 2011 that amount increased to 259 pounds collected. So far this year, 40 pounds have been collected.

Before installation of the box was in place, the FCSO had to assure NADDI that the box would not be tampered with in any way as well as adhere to a regular schedule for removing the prescription drugs that are deposited, and proper disposal of the drugs.

According to Investigator Terry Hawkins, who also serves as the Prescription Drug Diversion Investigator, the drugs are incinerated at a controlled facility.

The FCSO suggests the drugs should not be tossed into the waste water system, especially if the prescriptions have expired, due to toxicity concerns.

Hawkins, who was also instrumental in getting the box to Forsyth County, said because of the limits of the box, "no needles, no liquids and nothing over-the-counter," should be disposed in the box.

The box located at , is accessible Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Individuals can come in and drop unwanted prescription drugs into the box, no questions asked,” said Sheriff Paxton. "

The sheriff’s office conducts lectures at various community functions related to prescription drug abuse issues. 

NADDI plans to distribute 100 prescription drug take back boxes nationally at no charge to the agencies.