CCDP announces results of drug take back event

Published 4:19 pm Monday, June 5, 2017

Progress continues within the region to tackle drug abuse.
The Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition (CCDP) announced the results from the regularly scheduled Drug Take Back event — a community initiative to encourage the public to dispose of any excess drugs inside the household. Each Drug Take Back event is funded through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.
April’s Drug Take Back event was held across the region and Elizabethton was able to take full advantage of the event, disposing of roughly 51 pounds of medication at the Elizabethton Police Department. Results indicated that 3.5 pounds of what was taken in were controlled substances.
“We are grateful that Carter County community members are taking advantage of the drop off at the Elizabethton Police Station,” Jilian Reece, CCDP director said Monday. “We know that nearly 70 percent of first time youth users access drugs from home, so we are thrilled to get those substances out of homes and disposed of properly.”
From Spring 2013 to April 29, 2017, the specific events at the Elizabethton Police Station have netted over 470 pounds of excessive medication inside the household.
During April’s events, Bristol saw 130 pounds be donated while Johnson City was right behind at 123. Jonesborough (79 pounds) and Blountville (53 pounds) were also recorded in the report issued by the organization.
April also saw the Carter County Sheriff’s Office get involved with the Drug Take Back specific event. Both county and city police departments offer permanent collection bins in their lobbies that the public can visit to rid themselves of excessive medication in the home.
CCDP has taken full advantage of partnering alongside different agencies and law enforcement for the “Count It!, Lock It!, Drop It!” Program geared to encourage families to dispose of the medication.
According to information provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), people who abuse prescription painkillers most frequently get them for free from a friend or relative and many buy them from a friend or relative.
Along with local police departments, CCDP also highlights their partners who assist with “Count It!, Lock It!, Drop It!” — Lingerfelt Pharmacy, Burgie Drug, Hampton Pharmacy and Reed Pharmacy.
Disposing of medication at the drop off areas is the right route to take, Reece added. The director indicated that in the past, many residents were advised to flush unwanted or expired medications into the drains but studies have shown that medication can seep into the water supply — effectively nullifying the method.
Promoting projects and ideas to deter from drug and substance abuse is the driving factor for the CCDP, Reece said. The coalition, located in downtown Elizabethton, offers different activities and promotional tools to help community members. The CCDP is currently in its second year of operation following a reemergence thanks to assistance from East Tennessee State University.
For more information on how to get involved with different projects in the community, contact Reece via email at ccdpdirector@outlook.com or visit the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition Facebook page online.

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