More than 105 pounds of prescription drugs collected

Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff

City of Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff said that 105 pounds of unused, discarded, or expired prescription medications were collected in Sparta, on April 24, 2021, as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Goff and some of his officers partnered with Walgreens Pharmacy, on the corner of Bockman Way and Mayberry Street, to set up a safe, judgement-free zone for White County residents to bring their unused prescription medications.

“Everyone was thankful to be able to dispose of their medications without any questions asked,” Goff said.

Goff also stated that while some wanted to simply dispose of unused medicine, others wanted to talk for just a moment, and he was happy to be a listening ear for those people.

“I experienced many sad stories with a lot of the depositors, from simply cleaning out their medicine cabinets to family members passing away,” he said. “It was a time for many to release some emotion from their last moments with that loved one.”

According to the National Drug Enforcement Administration, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses what they say is a crucial public safety and health issue and aims to provide safe, convenient, and responsible means for residents to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Sparta’s event was just one of thousands across the country as law enforcement agencies everywhere participated in the DEA’s Take Back Day event to provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic,” Goff said. “This effort could also potentially keep these drugs from ending up in the wrong hands such as children or thieves.  We appreciate the community for their assistance in this effort.”

According to a 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the DEA, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, while 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. Through the survey, it was also found that the majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often being taken from the home medicine cabinet without consent.

Goff said, “I am proud and humbled to be associated with this effort and pray it continues in the future.