A man convicted in December of a 2014 aggravated burglary and theft in DeKalb County will no longer be serving his fifteen year prison sentence as a “career” offender.
During a hearing Wednesday in DeKalb County Criminal Court, Judge Gary McKenzie denied a motion for a new trial but found that due to a miscalculation of his prior offenses, 54 year old David Petty does not qualify as a “career” offender. Instead Petty will serve his fifteen year term, the maximum allowed by law in this case, as a “persistent” offender. As a “career” criminal, Petty would have had to serve at least 60% of the sentence before coming eligible for parole. As a “persistent” offender, Petty will become eligible for parole after serving 45% of the sentence.
Petty stood trial and was convicted by a jury in DeKalb County Criminal Court Wednesday, December 9, 2015. A month later following a sentencing hearing, Judge McKenzie handed down the fifteen year term against Petty for aggravated burglary and another twelve years for theft of property over $1,000. The sentences were merged as one fifteen year term.
In his amended motion for a new trial, Petty’s attorney Michael Auffinger set forth grounds including one in which he claimed “the trial court erred in its determination that Petty qualified as a “career” criminal. Although Petty has prior convictions for kidnapping, these do not qualify to be counted individually. The statutory language within Tennessee Code Annotated 40-35-108 (b) (4) reads: except for convictions for which the statutory elements include serious bodily injury, bodily injury, threatened serious bodily injury, or threatened bodily injury to the victim or victims…convictions for multiple felonies committed within the same twenty four hour period constitute one(1) conviction for the purpose of determining prior convictions. In contrast, the statutory definition of kidnapping contains the language: under circumstances exposing the other person to substantial risk of bodily injury”, according to Auffinger’s motion.
“The trial court erred when it found Petty to be a career offender. Under TCA 40-35-108, once a defendant has been convicted of a Class C felony, the court must find any combination of six or more Class A, B, or C prior felony convictions. However, upon looking at Petty’s prior record, there are no A or B offenses, and at most, five Class C offenses. At most, Petty is a Range III Persistent Offender,” Auffinger’s motion states.
Assistant District Attorney General Stephanie Johnson said while Judge McKenzie found in favor of Petty on this one point he ruled for the state on the remaining issues raised by Petty’s attorney in his motion.
“There was a miscalculation in his (Petty’s) prior convictions therefore he did not fall into a “career” offender range of punishment. Instead, he fell into a “persistent” offender range. The only change the court made based on that was instead of his (Petty’s) sentence being fifteen years at 60%, his sentence will still be the maximum of fifteen years but at 45%. While the judge changed the sentence a little bit he denied the defense motion for new trial and ruled in favor of the state on all of those points (raised by the defense) except the re-sentencing with the calculations of the priors,” Johnson told WJLE Wednesday.
After deliberating for less than an hour in December, a jury of six men and six women found Petty guilty of aggravated burglary and theft of property over $1,000 as charged in the indictment against him.
Because Petty has multiple previous felony convictions in several counties dating back to 1980, Assistant District Attorney General Johnson asked the court in January to sentence him as a career offender. “Mr. Petty’s criminal conduct spans 35 years. He has very serious prior felony convictions. I understand they are from the 1980’s but still we have someone who has persistently violated the law and obtained criminal convictions in several different counties in our state. Mr. Petty has been active in five different surrounding counties. He previously violated and has been revoked on parole twice and probation five times. This defendant has not had any measure of success on supervised release in our community. Furthermore, while he has not been charged, he has been out on an OR bond and has admitted drug use so he has continued to involve himself in illegal activity while this case was pending trial,” Assistant DA Johnson told the court during Petty’s sentencing hearing in January.
A co-defendant in the case, 44 year old Anthony Lynn Colwell pled guilty in July, 2015 to aggravated burglary and received a TDOC sentence of eleven years at 45% before parole eligibility. The term is to run concurrently with a Warren County case against him. He was given two days of jail credit.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said at the time of their arrests that on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Petty and Colwell broke into a residence on Man Hill Road and stole a jewelry box containing several items of jewelry which were later pawned at a local jewelry store and at a pawn shop in Warren County. Petty’s defense essentially was that while he sold the property, he did not commit the burglary and theft.
Petty’s attorney Auffinger, in asking the court for leniency for his client during the January sentencing hearing, said that Petty was never proven to have participated in the burglary. “There was never any direct proof whatsoever that tied him to the burglary,” he said.
Auffinger also pointed out that Petty voluntarily cooperated with law enforcement officers in the burglary investigation and tried to settle the debt with one of the pawn shop owners who suffered a loss because of the case. He also said Petty suffered from significant health problems and underwent surgery a week before the sentencing hearing. Auffinger asked the court to make Petty’s sentence at the “bottom of the range” of punishment allowed by law in this case.
During the January sentencing hearing Judge McKenzie found that due to seven prior felony convictions since 1980, which included three kidnappings, an assault with intent to commit a felony, and a grand larceny, Petty should be sentenced as a career offender.
“Mr. Petty it looks to me that from 1980 to today (January 7) there has been criminal behavior on your part,” said Judge McKenzie during the sentencing hearing. ” In the sentencing report there was a DUI conviction around 2003. There is a disorderly conduct in 2000. If your 1983 cases were not of a felony nature that would be one thing. If they were smaller level offenses that would be one thing but they are kidnappings. There’s an assault. And then there are some drug offenses and burglaries. There is a lot of criminal history here. Based on those seven felonies I’m going to classify you as a career offender. Most individuals go their entire lives without a single arrest. Without a single conviction. The vast majority of us go our entire lives without multiple convictions. And you’ve got seven. The prior criminal history and multiple convictions certainly weighs strong for the state. If an individual in our community gets seven prior felony offenses then there becomes a need to protect society from releasing him back,” added Judge McKenzie.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 11-6 is offering a one-day boating safety class on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Dekalb County Community Center located at 712 South Congress Boulevard in Smithville, Tennessee from 8:00 AM – 6:00PM. Textbook and materials are $7.00 per student, which covers room rental fee and lunch. Preregistration is required as the class size is limited. For more information and/or to register, please call John Whelan at 615-933-1874 and leave a message.
BOAT TENNESSEE is a comprehensive boating course designed for both beginners and novice boaters. This course will be taught in a one-day session with a short lunch break. Topics include: Types and Uses of Boats/Engines; Boat Handling; Equipment for Boats, Trailering, Aids to Navigation, Rules of the Road, Inland Boating, Boating Laws/State Laws, Boating Problems/Emergencies, and more. The exam to be given will be the State of Tennessee boating exam.
This course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Those who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates of completion. Many marine insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to those who complete this course.
If the student taking this course and exam was born after January 1, 1989, then the student MUST also pre-register with the State of Tennessee to take the boating exam and pay an additional fee of $10 per person to the State. The exam ticket is Type 600 and can be obtained from any TWRA fishing/hunting licensing agent. Proof of identity of student may be required. Students are also strongly encouraged to obtain their textbooks in advance for reading and studying.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, created by an Act of Congress in 1939, is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard across all mission areas. For more information on the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a flotilla near you, visit www.cgaux.org

First lady of Tennessee Crissy Haslam was at Smithville Elementary School Wednesday morning on a visit with a mission — to encourage students to read more in and out of the classroom as part of the Read20 initiative. To admonish children to read and or to have their parents read to them twenty minutes a day.
Haslam took a tour of the school and then talked with and read to students at each grade level from the book “What Pet Should I Get” by Dr. Seuss.
Smithville Elementary was selected by the state Education Department to host the first lady’s visit in an effort to increase reading proficiency and encourage students to continue to read when they’re not in school.
“I was so excited last week when I received an email from her (Crissy Haslam’s) office asking if we would be interested in a visit. I replied back saying “of course we would be interested.” “It’s a wonderful honor to have her here. There are five schools in this county and the State Department of Education gave her our name to come and visit. I think that is a tribute to the hard work that our students do and the hard work that our faculty and staff do. It’s just a privilege to have her here with us. We’re so excited,” Smithville Elementary School Principal Julie Vincent told WJLE.
“I think I’ve read a book to every child in the school in big groups at the gym and library,” said Haslam. “I have been talking to them about the importance of reading. That children need to be a strong reader by the end of third grade. I talked to them about reading twenty minutes a day and getting their parents to read to them twenty minutes a day. I talked to them about reading over the summer time so that they don’t slide backward in their reading ability. And I talked to them about how important it is to read to be ready for everything that comes later in life whether it’s middle school, high school, college, or work. I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up? It’s really necessary to be a good reader for just about anything you’re going to do in life,” Haslam told WJLE.

Haslam plans to visit one school in each of the state’s 95 counties by the end of the year, all to push the importance of reading. “I am traveling all over the state. I am trying to take my message to every county. I started a while back and I have about eighteen counties left to visit. It’s a great thing to do. If you want to have a good day come to an elementary school. They will cheer you up,” said Haslam.

DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighters kept a kitchen fire from spreading Thursday at the home of Jimmy Midgett on Vandergriff Hollow Road.
David Agee, Assistant County Fire Chief told WJLE that firefighters were called to the home at around 11 a.m. that morning and found a fire in the kitchen. Although heat and smoke spread to other parts of the home, firefighters were able to contain the blaze primarily to the kitchen area. Flames also burned through the kitchen ceiling into the attic.
Members of the Liberty, Main Station, and Temperance Hall stations responded along with the tanker and equipment truck.
No one was home at the time and no one was hurt.

A 54 year old Nashville man charged with the aggravated burglary and arson of a home in Lakeview Mountain Estates last November appeared for sentencing in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, April 11.
Judge David Patterson presided.
Alton Ray Hinsley entered a plea to aggravated burglary and arson and received a three year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to General Sessions Court cases against him. He is to make restitution of $1,353 to the victim.
According to count one of the indictment, Hinsley intentionally, knowingly or recklessly entered the habitation of Marvin Oppenheim on Friday, November 6, 2015 with the intent to commit Arson, constituting the offense of Aggravated Burglary. Count two alleges that Hinsley did unlawfully and knowingly damage a structure by means of a fire or explosion.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were summoned to a double-wide mobile home at 217 Neil Drive in the Lakeview Mountain Estates area Friday afternoon, November 6.
According to County Fire Chief Donny Green no one was at home when the fire was discovered by a neighbor and reported to 911. The listed owner of the home was G.L. Waynick. Marvin Oppenheim was the resident.
The Cookeville Highway, Main Station, and Liberty Stations responded along with the Department’s tanker truck.
“Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and contain it to the area around the range in the kitchen of the home. However, the entire structure did receive extensive smoke damage along with significant heat damage,” said Chief Green.
“Firefighters removed four cats found inside the home. Three of the four cats were still alive,” he added.
DeKalb EMS and DeKalb County Sheriff Department’s deputies were also on the scene and rendered assistance.
28 year old Kevin Jay Stewart entered a plea by criminal information to theft over $1,000 and simple possession. He received a three year sentence all suspended to supervised probation except for 30 days to serve on the theft charge and 11 months and 29 days all suspended to supervised probation except for 30 days to serve in the drug case. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other. Stewart must also make restitution of $1,000 to the victim. He was given 33 days of jail credit.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Wednesday, March 9 a deputy was dispatched to Ragland Bottom Motel to check out a car setting behind the building. Upon arrival, the officer observed the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Stewart.
According to the deputy, Stewart was wearing a necklace with a clear container attached which held .8 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. A hypodermic needle was found in the cup holder of the car. Stewart was unable to produce a driver license. A computer check revealed that Stewart’s license had been revoked in White County for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility on June 5, 2010. He had also been charged with driving on a revoked license on October 1, 2010 and October 13, 2011 in White County and again on March 8, 2013 in DeKalb County.
After a handgun was found in Stewart’s possession, a Sheriff’s Department Detective conducted an investigation and learned that the gun had been stolen along with three other guns with a total value up to $1,500. The guns had been taken from a home on Four Seasons Road.
41 year old Ginger Elaine Moore entered a plea by criminal information to aggravated assault and received a four year sentence all suspended to supervised probation except for six months to serve. The sentence is to run consecutive to probation in a General Sessions case against her. She must also forfeit her weapon. Moore was given jail credit of 85 days. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, January 16 Moore allegedly pointed a 22 caliber handgun at her son and threatened to kill him.
55 year old Timothy Allen Presley entered a plea by criminal information to theft of property over $1,000. He received a two year sentence all suspended to supervised probation. He is requesting judicial diversion. Presley is to make restitution of $550 to Cash 4 U Pawn in Warren County. He was given jail credit of 37 days. Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, January 29 Presley pawned a stolen utility trailer at Cash 4 U Pawn in Warren County. The utility trailer was valued at $1,800. The case was investigated by a Sheriff’s Department Detective.
28 year old Charles Ryan Riedley entered a plea by criminal information to simple possession of a schedule VI drug. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to probation. He was fined $750. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, May 24, 2015 a deputy observed a black truck leave its lane of travel multiple times. The officer stopped the truck and spoke with the driver, Riedley who had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Riedley’s speech was slurred and he had bloodshot eyes. According to the officer, Riedley admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana. After performing poorly on field sobriety tasks, he was placed under arrest. Riedley refused to submit to a blood test and he could not provide proof of insurance. His first DUI conviction was November 27, 2007 in Rutherford County. During an inventory search of Riedley’s vehicle, the officer found an open Bud Lite beer bottle and .1 grams of marijuana.
25 year old Tracy Blaylock entered a plea to domestic assault and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation with CPS. Blaylock must also attend anger management classes. According to Smithville Police, Officer Will Judkins was dispatched to a residence on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in reference to a physical domestic. Upon arrival he spoke with Blaylock who was outside trying to leave. While speaking with both Blaylock and the victim, Officer Judkins learned that a verbal argument between them became physical which left marks on the victim.
37 year old B.J. Lee Brown entered a plea to driving on a suspended license and received a six month sentence on supervised probation with CPS.
35 year old Terry Knowles entered a plea to driving on a revoked license and received a six month sentence all suspended to CPS probation. He will also lose his license for one year.

A seventh grade math teacher at DeKalb Middle School was named ” DeKalb County Teacher of the Year” and received the “John Isabell Memorial Award” Tuesday night during the ninth annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church.
The award and a check for $150 was presented to Lesa Hayes by Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank, a sponsor of the banquet, along with Director of Schools Patrick Cripps and Lori Isabell, whose husband John for whom the award is named, passed away in 2014. John Isabell was a long time educator and former President of the DeKalb County Education Association
“This is only her second year at the Middle School but really quickly after she got to the Middle School she became a leader in our building. We use her in a lot of different ways. We send teachers to her classroom. We ask her to go to other teachers classrooms to coach and do other things because she has so many strengths. She has such high expectations for her students and her classroom and she demands it out of them every day. Its an honor to have her as our teacher of the year at DeKalb Middle School,” said DMS Principal Randy Jennings.
Hayes, who is in her 17th year as a teacher, was among five local educators who were recognized during the banquet for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were Leah Magness from Smithville Elementary School; Alisha Day from Northside Elementary School; Cynthia Pulley from DeKalb West School; and Amanda Fuller from DeKalb County High School.
Magness is a first grade teacher in all subjects. She is in her 9th year as a teacher. Day teaches reading, language arts, and social studies in the fifth grade. She is in her 14th year. Pulley is in her 8th year. She teaches all subjects in the fourth grade. Fuller is an eleventh grade chemistry and biology teacher. This is her 20th year in the classroom.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers; to stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and to encourage public involvement in education.
Administrators introduced the Teachers of the Year at their schools, remarked on how they deserved the honor, and presented them with a school bell award.
Seventh district school board member Shaun Tubbs served as guest speaker for the banquet.
“You play such an important role in each and every student’s lives. You wear many hats. You are a teacher, mentor, friend, and role model to so many kids. To be great educators like yourselves you must have a passion for what you do. You did not choose this job for money but because you had a gift and a passion to teach others. You give hope and encouragement to so many students and you are the backbone of our community. Your influence helps build a future DeKalb County. Sometimes you don’t get the praise or a thank you often enough. On behalf of the DeKalb County School Board I want to say congratulations and thank you for a job well done,” said Tubbs in his remarks.
Other school board members attending were Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Danny Parkerson, and Jerry Wayne Johnson.

A man sought by Smithville Police in a Monday night hit-and-run that left another person injured was later taken into custody. Officers also found a meth lab in his car during the investigation.
35 year old Marlin Ray Pinkard of McMinnville is charged with aggravated assault, evading arrest, and a 5th offense of driving on a revoked license after hitting Johnny Murphy with his automobile following an altercation between the two in front of Murphy’s residence at 420 Hayes Street. Pinkard and a passenger of his car, 32 year old Shana Nicole Smiley of Smithville, were each charged with initiation of methamphetamine.
“Last night Smithville Police responded to a call at 420 Hayes Street. Upon arrival we learned that there had been a hit and run. A vehicle driven by Pinkard had run over Mr. Murphy causing a serious leg injury and had left the scene. Murphy was transported to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by EMS where he was treated and released,” Police Chief Mark Collins told WJLE.
After obtaining a description of the car involved in the hit-and-run, officers tracked it down at Mapco Express. “After officers arrived at Mapco, they spotted Mr. Pinkard coming out of the store. When Pinkard saw them, he went back in the store and tried to empty his pockets. Officers confronted Pinkard and found pills in his possession believed to be Suboxone. Pinkard was then placed under arrest,” Chief Collins continued.
Upon checking out Pinkard’s car at Mapco, Chief Collins said police found a meth lab. “When we went to his car we found Shana Nicole Smiley sitting in the passenger seat. After she was asked to get out of the car we saw in plain view a plastic bottle containing a sludge like material consistent with the manufacture of meth. The substance was later identified as a one pot meth lab by the Tennessee Meth Task Force who came to the scene to assist in the investigation. Also found in the car was an opened cold pack, lithium batteries, and a glass pipe with residue. Smiley was then placed under arrest,” he said.
Bond for Pinkard totals $58,500. Smiley’s bond is $35,000. They will make an appearance in General Sessions Court on April 28

The DeKalb Animal Coalition presents “Churches in DeKalb County Then and Now” by Thomas G. Webb, DeKalb County Historian on Saturday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex Auditorium. Admission is $10 per person. Proceeds from the evening’s entertainment will go to the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a tax deductible organization dedicated to building a new animal shelter for our community.
Learn about:
*The first churches in DeKalb County
*The difference in doctrine
*Camp meetings and where they were held
*The shouting Methodists and the Footwashing Baptists
*Churches that have died out
*Church changes through the years
*Churches with the largest memberships today
*Spanish language congregations

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has picked up two more people named in sealed indictments returned by the Grand Jury last Monday, April 4.
26 year old Christopher Brock Tatrow of Sparta is indicted for possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) over .5 grams for sale and delivery in a drug free zone and for possession of a schedule VI drug for sale and delivery in a drug free zone. He was arrested on Friday, April 8. His bond is $50,000. He was arraigned Monday, April 11 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
WJLE obtained copies of the indictments.
Count 1 of the indictment against Tatrow alleges that on or about July 20, 2015 he knowingly possessed a schedule II controlled substance, to wit: Methamphetamine, in the amount of 0.5 grams or more with intent to sell or deliver such controlled substance on the grounds or facilities of any school, or within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, or secondary school, preschool, child care agency, public library, recreational center or park, constituting the offense of possession of a schedule II drug, methamphetamine, over .5 grams for sale and delivery in a drug free zone.
Count 2 of the indictment alleges that on or about the 20th day of July, 2015, Tatrow knowingly possessed with intent to sell not less than one half ounce (14.175 grams) nor more than 10 pounds (4,535 grams) of marijuana, a Schedule VI controlled substance on the grounds or facilities of any school, or within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, or secondary school, preschool, child care agency, public library, recreational center or park, constituting the offense of possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, to wit: marijuana, with intent to sell or deliver in a drug free zone.
40 year old Tyrone Dewayne Owens of Shady Drive, Smithville is indicted for possession of a schedule VI drug with intent to sell and deliver. He was arrested on Sunday, April 10. His bond is $10,000. He was arraigned Monday, April 11 in DeKalb County Criminal Court.
The indictment against Owens states that on or about May 22, 2015, Owens knowingly possessed with intent to sell and or deliver not less than one half ounce (14.175 grams) nor more than 10 pounds (4,535 grams) of marijuana, a schedule VI controlled substance, constituting the offense of possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, to wit: marijuana with intent to sell or deliver.
22 year old Cheyenne Shaney Walker of Davis Street, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on April 21.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Wednesday, April 6 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Old Bildad Road for a possible domestic incident. Upon arrival he spoke with Walker and her husband and learned that they had been in an altercation. The man said his wife pushed and hit him which caused him to fear for his safety. He then called 911. The officer observed red marks and scratches on the man’s face.
21 year old Steven Riley Haas of Dearman Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. He was also issued a citation for driving on roadways laned for travel. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on April 21.
Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, April 4 a deputy, while on routine patrol, spotted a white car traveling east on Sparta Highway but failing to maintain its lane of travel. The officer stopped the car and spoke with the driver, Haas. His eyes were bloodshot and he had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. Haas admitted to having consumed several alcoholic beverages. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood test.
19 year old Olivia Hope Barber and 39 year old Andy Joe Certain of Forrest Avenue Smithville are each cited into court on April 28.
Sheriff Ray said that on Friday, April 8 a sheriff’s department detective issued citations to Barber and Certain after a probation search was conducted at their home which turned up 10 hypodermic needles, 9 cut straws, and 5 burnt spoons all containing residue.

The DeKalb County Prevention Coalition encourages all DeKalb County residents to join the effort to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse by participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. This event will be held on the public square in front of the Smithville City Hall on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The DeKalb County Prevention Coalition urges DeKalb County residents to come out to this event and drop off any unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription medication for safe disposal. This is confidential and no names or information will be collected.
The DeKalb County Prevention Coalition is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in association with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Office of Diversion Control in providing this service.
On Saturday, April 30, in communities across the state, Tennesseans have the opportunity to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs from homes and offices.
“This is a chance for everyone to contribute, and become part of the solution to our state’s prescription drug abuse epidemic that has hurt so many of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors,” said E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “Every person in our state has been touched by this epidemic, in one form or another. We have lost too many to this disease of addiction. If you have unused medications, do your part and join in Take-Back Day. Ask others to do the same.”
In 2015, the Tennessee Department of Health released some very sobering statistics on the impact of substance use in Tennessee revealing: The number of Tennesseans who die each year due to drug overdoses increased again in 2014. The total number of overdose deaths rose by nearly 100, from 1,166 in 2013 to a record-setting 1,263 in 2014. If those numbers are hard to comprehend, consider this: more people died from drug overdoses in Tennessee last year than were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
“For most of this decade we have witnessed the fall-out from prescription drug abuse,” said Commissioner Varney. “In addition to unintended deaths and overdoses, as access to prescription pain medications has become more difficult, many people are feeding their addiction by others means, switching to heroin and other drugs. They’re putting themselves and their loved ones at great risk.”
“Once again this year we are pleased to be partnering with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), which provides the drop-off boxes,” said Commissioner Varney. “And what’s especially helpful is the online interactive map TDEC has created, which pinpoints the exact location of every drop-box in Tennessee, accessible to everyone.”
TDEC began the Pharmaceutical Take-Back initiative as a pilot program with the City of Knoxville in 2011. Today the project has a total of 155 Take-Back Box locations in 85 counties. In partnership with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Department of Homeland Security, Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse and local law enforcement agencies, the collection program offers a safe and easy way to dispose of unwanted medication, and creates opportunities for Tennesseans to promote environmental protection and safer communities.
“In addition to being a health hazard, throwing medication away with household garbage or flushing it is harmful to our environment,” said Lori Munkeboe, director of the TDEC’s Office of Sustainable Practices. “We hope National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will create awareness of the viable disposal options across the state to keep drugs out of our water and off the streets.”
With that in mind, participating in Drug Take-Back Day becomes an opportunity for all Tennesseans to fight back, to keep our bodies and environment free of harmful substances and to become part of the solution, rather than contributing to the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
The response to the September 2015 Take-Back event resulted in more than 350 tons (the equivalent of more than 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs collected nationwide at more than 5,000 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and another 3,800 locations managed by state and local authorities.
“This is a terrific partnership with law enforcement. It’s free, anonymous and no questions asked,” said Commissioner Varney. “We need to do all we can to encourage people to participate, as the rate of prescription drug abuse in Tennessee keeps rising, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses.”
Take These Steps to Remove Prescription Drugs From Your Home or Office
•Check for unused prescriptions in medicine cabinets, bathroom, closets, bedside tables and kitchen drawers, under the sink, and in closets, purses, handbags, and containers.
•Remove all labeling and packaging on bottles and containers before disposing to ensure the protection of your privacy and personal information.
Keep in mind: the majority of Tennessee’s Take-Back Boxes are in locations that are accessible seven days a week, 24 hours a day. While there is special focus on take-back events each year in April and October, most boxes are located in law enforcement buildings and offices, where they are available for safe disposal anytime you need them.
“It is so important to properly discard unused prescription medications from your home to ensure they are not obtained, misused, or abused by family and friends,” said Commissioner Varney. “By joining in Drug Take-Back Day, you will be taking the best approach in removing unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs.”
“Every pill that’s not properly disposed of is a chance it will result in an unintended overdose or death or addiction,” said Commissioner Varney. “I urge all Tennesseans to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, so these unused drugs don’t harm those we love and care for the most.”
If you or someone you care for is in need of substance use treatment, call the Tennessee REDLINE anytime at 1-800-889-9789 for help now. Resources are available across the state.