Local Law Enforcement Agencies Participating in Drug Take Back Event

On Saturday, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office and police departments of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge will join forces with the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration to give the public its 16th opportunity in eight years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

The public may dispose of pills and patches at any of three events being held locally 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October, 27, 2018. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last spring Americans turned in nearly 475 tons (949,046 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,700 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 10 million pounds—nearly 5,000 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. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen 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 October 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com www.seviercountytn.gov

Sevier County Drug Take Back Events

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
Special Operations Center at 735 Middle Creek Road, Sevierville, TN 37862

Sevierville Police Department
SPD Headquarters at 300 Gary Wade Blvd. (in the Municipal Complex), Sevierville, TN 37862

Pigeon Forge Police Department
Walgreens at 3071 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
PFPD is offering a coupon for a free cup of Krispy Kreme Coffee or an Original Glazed Doughnut to people that participate in their Drug Take Back Event.