In only four hours, East Chattanooga Weed and Seed personnel collected 133 pounds of drugs during the group’s first drug disposal day in 2009.
The group expects today’s second disposal day to be just as successful.
“Because of the amount of drugs that are out in the community, we see this as a means to eliminate drugs from being stolen, taken by accident or misused,” said Vivian Hixson, Weed and Seed site coordinator.
And the type of drug — legal or not — is not an issue, officials said.
“Let the people know there will be no questions asked,” said Gloria McClendon, chairwoman of the Weed and Seed Law Enforcement Committee. “They can just drive up and drop off and just go on.”
At its first drug disposal day, the group gathered drugs ranging from over-the-counter vitamins to OxyContin, Mrs. Hixson said.
East Chattanooga Weed and Seed, a nonprofit organization, is funded by a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Justice Department. The goal is to weed out crime in the East Chattanooga area while seeding programs to improve quality of life there.
Today, the curb lane near the Weed and Seed office on McCallie Avenue will be blocked off and people can drive through, hand off whatever drugs they have and be back on the road within minutes, officials said.
Chattanooga police will be on hand to properly dispose of drugs, officials said, and Fred Ross of Ross Pharmacy will identify unlabeled drugs.
Organizers ask that residents mark their names off medication bottles but leave information that identifies the drug.
IF YOU GO* What: Drug Disposal Day* When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today* Where: East Chattanooga Weed and Seed, 1502 McCallie Ave.* For more information: Call 752-4449 or go towww.eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org/ecws_community_events__activities
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will give digital thermometers to anyone who brings in a mercury thermometer. The department is collecting mercury thermometers over concern about mercury getting into drinking water.
Home radon testing kits also will be provided to people who want them, officials said.
Tennessee-American Water Co. also is helping to sponsor the event. Water company representatives want people to bring their unused drugs to drug disposal day instead of flushing them down the toilet. Flushed drugs could get into the water supply and cause unintended reactions in people and fish, said Kim Dalton, external affairs manager for Tennessee-American Water.
“Protecting the watershed through proper drug disposal is one way residents can have a positive impact on their drinking water,” she said.
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