Cherokee County Sheriff's Office investigators and members of the Alabama Regional Drug Task Force participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National drug take back day. The take back location was set up at the Sheriff's Office this past Saturday. According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, law enforcement personnel took-in just over 170 pounds of unwanted or unneeded prescription drugs. 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Sheriff Jeff Shaver said, "we are glad we can help people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs and prevent and reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing the Nation due to opioid medications."

According to Sheriff Shaver, the Sheriff's Office takes in unwanted prescription drugs so that they can be disposed of properly Monday through Friday during normal business hours at the Sheriff's Office.