Residents who may have missed the National Drug Take Back Saturday are reminded that several local law enforcement agencies accept medications throughout the year.
The permanent drop boxes at area law enforcement agencies offer the convenience throughout the year of being able to safely and conveniently dispose of unwanted, unused prescription or over-the-counter drugs (for both pets and people) and avoid misuse or unintentional harm to families, pets and the environment, said officials.
“We thank residents who took advantage of the Drug Take Back this Saturday to properly dispose of old medications," said Valoria Armstrong, president of Tennessee American Water. "If you missed it or find yourself later in the year with medications you do not want to keep in your home, the permanent lock boxes at various law enforcement sites is another way to safely dispose of these."
“Properly disposing of medication reduces the chance of teenage experimentation and overdose," said Camilla Bibbs, executive director of the Hamilton County Coalition. "It’s also important to count your medication and keep it locked up to raise awareness of opioid abuse and medicine safety."
Local law enforcement sites with permanent lock boxes:
Chattanooga Police Department, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
3204 Amnicola Hwy.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
6233 Dayton Blvd., West Sector
8395 Hickory Valley Road, East Sector
Red Bank Police Department, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
117 Dayton Blvd.
East Ridge Police Department, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
4214 Ringgold Road
Signal Mountain Police Department, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
1111 Ridgeway Dr.
Whitwell City Hall, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time Zone
13671 Highway 28
Bradley County Sheriff’s Office – 2290 Blythe
Cleveland Police Department – 100 Church St. NE
Soddy Daisy Police Department, City Hall, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
9835 Dayton Pike Soddy Daisy TN 37379
Residents can leave medications in a container, mark out any private info on bottles if they want or put medications in a bag