The Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force has released its pill take-back totals for 2016 for the state.
The office of the Hamilton County Sheriff placed third with over 2,700 pounds of expired and unused medical prescriptions collected through its affiliated drug take-back program.
Over 130 organizations across Tennessee host drug take-back programs for citizens.
The HCSO also conducts several of its own drug take-back campaigns throughout the year and partners with many organizations including Walgreens, the City of Chattanooga, Shred-It and other groups to help prevent prescription drug abuse and disposal.
“We saw a tremendous amount of participation by our local residents,” says Captain Charles Lowery, Jr., HCSO Traffic Division Captain and Drug Take-Back Administrator. “By safely collecting these expired and unused medications, we were able to reduce the amount of prescription drugs that can fall into the wrong hands or pollute our waterways.”
The Eastern Tennessee District, in which Hamilton County lies, collected over 26,000 pounds of expired and unused medication in 2016.
The office of the Hamilton County Sheriff offers two drug take back collection points. The first is located at the West Patrol Annex, 6233 Dayton Boulevard; the second is at the East Patrol Annex, 8395 Hickory Valley Road. The collection points are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Information: www.hcsheriff.gov/support/drug_take_back.php.
Source: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office