Opioid Overdose Prevention and Awareness

Remember to safely store your prescription medication to prevent misuse. Always follow doctors order when taking prescription medication.

Take unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to a drop box for safe, and environmentally appropriate disposal. Items that cannot be disposed of in the Drop Boxes are Inhalers, Syringes, e-cigarettes/vape batteries. The following CVS and Walgreen Pharmacies are the prescription drug disposal locations in Cherokee County.

988 Suicide Hotline

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Reverse Opioid Overdose with Naloxone

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. There are two forms of naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization: prefilled nasal spray and injectable.

Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. More than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.

If you or someone you know is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), you should carry naloxone and keep it at home. People who are taking high-dose opioid medications (greater or equal to 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day) prescribed by a doctor, people who use opioids and benzodiazepines together, and people who use illicit opioids like heroin should all carry naloxone. Because you can’t use naloxone on yourself, let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.

Georgia 911 Medical Amnesty Law

WHEN THE CALLER STAYS UNTIL HELP ARRIVES THE LAW PROTECTS THE CALLER AND PERSON OVERDOSING FROM THE FOLLOWING:

  • Being arrested, charged, or persecuted for possessing personal amounts of drugs

    • Less than 4 grams of a solid substance

    • Less than 4 grams combined weight of a solid mixed in a secondary medium

    • Less than 1 ounce of marijuana

    • Less than 1 milliliter of liquid Violating probation, parole, pre-trial release, or protective orders Possession of drug paraphernalia Underage alcohol consumption

  • Violating probation, parole, pre-trial release, or protective orders Possession of drug paraphernalia Underage alcohol consumption