Local Law Enforcement Participates in National Drug Take Back Day

The public is asked to help prevent abuse of prescription medications by disposing of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs during a drug take back event hosted by federal and local law enforcement agencies. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Pigeon Forge Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to CVS Pharmacy at 2415 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its eleven previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 22, 2016 Drug Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website www.dea.gov or contact Pigeon Forge Police Department Criminalist Wayne Knight at 865-453-9063.

Other Drug Take Back locations in Sevier County open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2016 include:

Sevier County Sheriff’s Department at Richardson Cove Baptist Church, 3107 Pittman Center Road in Sevierville.

Sevierville Police Department at its office, 300 Gary Wade Blvd. in Sevierville.