MOULTRIE – A drop box where residents can leave medications collected some 350 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs last year.

The Moultrie Police Department installed the box in its lobby as where the public can deposit unused, unwanted or expired medications.

On Thursday, Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr was in town and praised the local effort as a helpful step in keeping opiates out of the hands of children and others who could get hooked on the powerful substances.

Carr met with Moultrie Police Chief Sean Ladson before speaking with reporters.

Carr said he is looking to get a wide variety of groups and resources involved in tackling the issue.

Earlier this year Carr initiated Georgia Dose of Reality as part of the Statewide Opioid Task Force.

The site — doseofrealityga.org — has a map where Georgians can find the closest site to drop off unwanted pain medication and other prescription drugs under the “Drug Take Back” heading at the top of the page.

Carr said he has held two task force meetings around the state so far.

Once a sizable amount of medications have been collected in the box in the police lobby the department gets a court order from a Superior Court judge to dispose of them, Sgt. Dave Underwood said during an interview following the event with Carr.

Police use an industrial incinerator at a local company to destroy the drugs, he said.

“Right now we actually have two bundles of drugs awaiting court orders to destroy them,” Ladson said.

Some people who have had loved ones die have used the drop box to dispose of medications used during their illness, he said.

“It gives people a way to dispose of it safely,” Ladson said. “There are no forms to fill out. They don’t even have to talk to anybody.”

Residents can drop off their medications on weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the police station, 128 First St. S.W., with the exceptions of holidays.