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Project FREEDOM through the University of Alabama’s VitAL Alabama Program has teamed up with the Drug Free Communities of Dallas County to distribute kits to local organizations to help dispose of medication and illegal drugs in an environmentally safe way.

The two organizations stopped by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office to deliver Dettera packages, which will allow for drugs to be safely disposed of.

Sheriff Mike Granthum said that many times that people may attempt to flush drugs down the toilet or throw them in the trash to dispose of them. However, disposing of them that way could pollute the water table and the environment.

“Having these packages ensures that we have a safe and environmentally friendly way to dispose of drugs,” Granthum said.

These packages are being distributed to a number of local organizations including the Selma Police Department, Selma City Hall, YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, Edmundite Missions, several local drug stores, two local funeral homes and several churches or missions in the community. 

Jerria Martin, executive director of Drug Free Communities of Dallas County, said they are also distributing these packages to local schools. They are calling this drive the “Take Back Tour,” which began with the annual Take Back Day that is scheduled in April annually. This year’s event is April 26.

“What we found out is that turnout for these take back days just wasn’t very good for one reason or another,” Martin said. “So instead of having the one day set aside to collect old medications and drugs, we just decided it would be better to provide the Dettera packages for law enforcement, schools and other community organizations.”

Kimbley Terrell, training and outreach coordinator with VitAL, said that they are providing an alternative to safely discard the drugs.

“One package is enough for as little or as much drugs at one time,” Terrell said. “When someone flushes drugs down the toilet, it can have long-lasting effects on our water table. So it is important for us to get these packets into the hands of our law enforcement and others in the community to protect our environment.”

Granthum encouraged anyone who needs to dispose of medication or drugs that they do not know what they are to call the Sheriff’s Department.

“If you don’t know what it is, it’s better to call us to dispose of it,” Granthum said.