University of Tennessee at Martin is the first college in the state to have a drug take back box.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is the first college in the state to have a drug take back box on their campus.

The drug takeback box was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.

It is an effort to help the community rise above substance abuse.

The box is located in Crisp Hall in the department of public safety office.

It was located here because they require 24 hour surveillance.

“They might be hesitant at first just because of the location but i feel like a lot of students are comfortable coming in here if they get a parking ticket or something like that they're going to have to come in here,” says Edwards.

Edwards, who is vice president of students organized against drugs on campus also wants people to know that the popular belief of flushing them down the toilet is wrong and harms the environment.

“In the past we thought the doctor prescribed the medicine it must be safe and so wed keep these medicines unlocked in our house, wed keep these medicines or wed buy them or wed use them not prescribed correctly and now its led to addiction,” says Greer.

Students are more than welcome to use the drug drop off box 24 hours in the day, 7 days a week

There will also be a drug take back day on April 27th from 10am to 2pm.

“You can come and drop off any medications that you have. There will be law enforcement there as well but they will not ask any questions, they will not ask why you have so many prescriptions from 1987 or whatever it may be in your home,” says Greer.

Greer recommends locking up any medications that you have and are currently using so that they don’t get into the wrong hands.

If you have drugs and medications that you no longer use or are expired, he invites you to visit the drug take back box.