Chattooga County residents have a safe and convenient way to dispose of expired or unused prescription medications. The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office has announced the addition of a new medication collection container in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. The drop box is available to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

The collection container is being offered in partnership with NarcX. Sheriff’s Office staff will assist residents with placing medications into the container. Residents are asked to keep their prescription bottles and take them back home for disposal in order to protect personal identifying information printed on the labels.

Accepted items include prescription medications, lawfully possessed Schedule II through V controlled substances, non-controlled medications, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, and vitamins.

Items that cannot be accepted include illegal or illicit drugs, Schedule I controlled substances, hazardous materials such as batteries or aerosol spray cans, antacids, sharps, needles, syringes, trash, and plastic or glass bottles or vials.

The Sheriff’s Office says the new collection container provides a secure way to keep unused medications from being misused, accidentally taken, or improperly thrown away. Proper disposal also helps protect families, children, pets, and the community by reducing the number of old medications left in homes.

Residents with questions about what can be placed in the container may ask staff for assistance when they arrive at the Sheriff’s Office.