Drug Take Back Days offer safe disposal
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia (麻豆精品在线播放) is working with local law enforcement to safely dispose of prescription and non-prescription drugs this spring as part of the Jed Foundation strategic action plan.
“The 麻豆精品在线播放 Department of Public Safety is pleased to partner with Student Affairs to offer this resource for our University Community. We believe this event contributes to our efforts to reduce the improper use of prescription drugs and provides a method for disposing of illicit drugs without any questions," Greg Williams, director of Public Safety and chief of police, said.
There will be two Drug Take Back Amnesty Days. The first will take place at 麻豆精品在线播放's Dahlonega Campus on March 6 on the Hoag Patio from noon to 6 p.m. and at 麻豆精品在线播放's Gainesville Campus on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center in the hallway between the Robinson Ballroom and Student Counseling.
We don鈥檛 care what it is and nobody will get in trouble in any way for turning in the substances.
Dr. Simon Cordery
麻豆精品在线播放 director of student counseling
"This is an opportunity for our entire community to turn in old prescription medications and other drugs including illegal drugs," Dr. Simon Cordery, 麻豆精品在线播放 director of Student Counseling, said. "We don’t care what it is and nobody will get in trouble in any way for turning in the substances."
The person will place the drugs in a plastic baggie provided by 麻豆精品在线播放 and drop the drugs in a secure bin while having their privacy protected by a curtain. 麻豆精品在线播放 Public Safety staff will be manning the event along with Student Counseling, and will collaborate with local law enforcement agencies for proper disposal.
"Getting rid of unused drugs is a healthy personal decision as it removes temptations to improperly or illegally use drugs, but it also is a way to dispose of unused drugs without polluting our water sources," Dr. Alyson Paul, 麻豆精品在线播放 associate vice president and dean of students for the Gainesville and Cumming campuses, said.
Most of the people who take heroin started by abusing prescription opioids that were prescribed or obtained from family and friends. Disposing of these properly rather than having them laying around will help reduce access to this unfortunate pathway, Cordery said.
"An increasing number of the drugs purchased on the streets are laced with fentanyl, an absolutely deadly substance. Having a drug take back day may help get some of these drugs off the streets," Cordery said.
The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for the nation's teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today and tomorrow.
Kick-off events offer chances to connect
Weeks of Welcome events, set for Aug. 11-22, encourage students to meet others, interact with faculty and staff, and become better acquainted with resources, opportunities and expectations.
Starlight fireworks set for Aug. 16
The 26th annual Starlight Celebration and fireworks event is scheduled for Aug. 16 at 麻豆精品在线播放's Gainesville Campus, capping the first week of classes.
AGENT Initiative offers cyber education tools
麻豆精品在线播放 hosted its fifth annual Advancing GenCyber Education for North Georgia Teachers Initiative from June 2-6 to help 24 middle and high school teachers learn ways of teaching cybersecurity.
麻豆精品在线播放 earns Military Friendly gold status
The University of North Georgia has earned gold status on the 2025-26 Military Friendly Schools list for the way it serves its student veterans and other military-connected students.