Law enforcement agencies in the Tennessee Valley joined forces on Saturday to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Drug Take Back Day, as part of ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that continues to affect the nation.
Narcotic divisions from the Madison and Jackson County Sheriff’s Offices have actively participated in the DEA’s take-back day for several years. The purpose of this initiative is to collect and safely dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medication in order to prevent medication misuse and addictions.
Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen believes that this nationwide initiative plays a crucial role in combating the opioid epidemic.
Sheriff Harnen highlighted the presence of numerous illegal drugs and narcotics that can easily fall into the wrong hands, posing a threat to society. He emphasized the need to remove these substances from the streets and prevent them from being misused for malicious purposes.
According to Sheriff Harnen, the number of overdose calls has been steadily increasing on a weekly basis. He further elaborated on the devastating impact of fentanyl in contributing to this alarming trend.
Sheriff Harnen expressed concern about the prevalence of dangerous substances, such as meth, marijuana, and counterfeit pills, being sold on the streets. He emphasized that many of these drugs are laced with fentanyl, posing a significant risk to users. The sheriff’s office is determined to combat this issue by actively removing these drugs from circulation, hopeful that this effort will contribute to addressing the drug problem in the community.
Amanda Harris, a resident of Jackson County, shares that she and other community members are driven to actively participate in the annual efforts. She believes that by doing so, they can help mitigate the influence of drugs on the younger generation.
According to Harris, ensuring the safety of our children is paramount. He emphasized the importance of locking up medication to prevent accidental overdoses among children. In addition to securing medication, proper disposal is also crucial in maintaining a safe environment.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office collects over 100 pounds of drugs during their two take-back days every year. Their goal is to create safer communities by offering a secure and responsible way to dispose of prescriptions while also raising awareness about the dangers of medication abuse.
Harris emphasized the importance of removing these dangers and raising awareness about them. He believes that by doing so, we can eliminate the risk associated with these drugs. Harris added, “It is crucial for all of us to actively participate in the drug takeback initiative.”
On Saturday, the Jackson and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices collectively gathered nearly 500 pounds of unused and unwanted drugs.
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