Union County residents are invited to bring their unused or expired prescriptions to the Maynardville Sheriff's Dept on April 27th from 10am-2pm. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient location to dispose of prescription drugs and other medications and to raise awareness about the potential risks for abuse and misuse of certain medications, such as opioids. More than 15 tons of drugs were collected statewide on the last National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in April of 2018.

Union County has a population of just over 19,000. According to TN.gov, Union County had over 26,000 opioid prescriptions given in 2017. The opioid prescription rate has continued to decrease over the last 5 years: however, medications are still being abused.

Therefore, it is important to dispose of unwanted or expired medications and help keep them out of the wrong hands. Drug Take-back events, which happen twice a year, are a safe, anonymous and convenient way for the community to dispose of old or unneeded medications. Nearly two-thirds of Tennesseans who abuse prescriptions get them from family or friends. Removing these medications from your home can help keep you and your loved ones safe. The Count It! Lock It! Drop It! program, which expanded statewide in 2016 with a grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation, encourages community members to:

• Count It! Count pills once every two weeks to monitor theft and help ensure medications are taken properly.
• Lock It! Lock and store them in a secure place where others would not think to look.
• Drop It! Take unused or expired medications to drop boxes located in participating law enforcement offices or pharmacies, or during biannual take-back events.