DEA Announces “National Drug Take Back Day” Slated for April 27

In an unprecedented and strategic move aimed at curbing the possible misuse and illegal distribution of prescription drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has unveiled plans for a “National Drug Take Back Day” to be observed on April 27 from 10AM to 2PM.

Local Law Enforcement Teams up with DEA

Emphasizing the gravity of the nationwide concern over drug misuse, the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition, the Kingsport and Bristol Police Departments, and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office have all joined forces with the DEA to facilitate this crucial public health initiative.

Together, these agencies aim to run local collection sites for members of the public to safely, conveniently, and anonymously surrender prescription drugs in their possession. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in Blountville, the Bristol TN Municipal Parking Lot on Anderson Street, the Dobyns-Bennett Parking Lot in Kingsport, and select Food City Locations in Kingsport and Blountville have hence all been pinpointed as drop-off locations.

Public Involvement Encouraged

In a similar vein, the Johnson City Police have opened up their Municipal and Safety Building parking lot on East Main Street as a drop-off site. This partnership underscores the inter-agency collaboration that underscores this initiative.

Citizens are urged to turn in unused or expired prescription drugs including tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. However, liquids, syringes, sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

Why This Initiative?

The DEA’s “National Drug Take Back Day” is a response to a critical concern in our society–the surge in prescription drug-related overdoses. It is no secret that medications that sit idle in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, and this initiative therefore serves as a preventive strategy to combat this societal menace.

Events such as the “National Drug Take Back Day” present an opportunity for families to rid their homes of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription drugs. The aim is thereby twofold; to prevent accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse of these substances, and to raise awareness about the potential dangers of careless medication disposal.

More Information

For those who wish to participate and have further inquiries, additional information can be found online at scadc.org. This initiative is an excellent chance for us all to play our part in combatting prescription drug abuse. So mark your calendars for this year’s “National Drug Take Back Day” on April 27, 2024, and be part of the solution to making our community safer.