DPC Spreading the Message to “Count It, Lock It, Drop It”.

The DeKalb Prevention Coalition (DPC) is spreading a message in its effort to combat prescription drug abuse. “Count It, Lock It, Drop It”.
Statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show that 55% of prescriptions are obtained free from a friend or relative. Three simple steps can make a big difference in prescription drug abuse. COUNT your pills, keep them LOCKED up, and dispose of them in the DROP box at Smithville City Hall and you won’t become an accidental drug dealer. A prescription drug take back day will be held downtown Smithville on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
“Whatever medications you have in your house, you should keep locked up. If you don’t have a lock box, come to my office in the county complex and I will give you a lock box free. Once the medication becomes out of date or if you don’t use it all bring it by the drop box at city hall,” said Lisa Cripps, Coordinator of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.
Cripps said she and Alexandria Police Chief Chris Russell have applied for a drop box for Alexandria to serve the western portion of the county.
Approximately fifty pounds of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs were collected in April during the last Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored locally by the DeKalb Prevention Coalition. Others that participated in the day were the DeKalb County Health Department, Board of Education-Coordinated School Health, Haven of Hope, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, Therapeutic Intervention Inc., Dept. of Children Services, and the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth,
The Mission of DPC is to unite community leaders and citizens of DeKalb County forming strong partnerships across major community sectors with the goal of reducing substance abuse. The DPC would like to extend an invitation to all residents to become a part of the coalition. The meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at 12:00pm. The next meeting will be October 31, at 10:30am at the UT Extension room in the county complex. For more information contact Lisa Cripps 615-580-9290 or the facebook page at facebook.com/DeKalbPreventionCoalition.