Dandridge Police Department Installs “Drug Take Back Box”

Keith Shultz, Rev. Debra Shultz and Dandridge Chief of Police Carson WilliamsStaff Photo by Jeff Depew

Keith Shultz, Rev. Debra Shultz and Dandridge Chief of Police Carson Williams
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

On Feb 10, 2015 the Dandridge Police Department began utilizing a new strategy to fight the growing prescription pill abuse epidemic in East Tennessee: a “Drug Take Back” program. Citizens are encouraged to bring in excess medications and prescriptions that are no longer needed, or left behind by family members who have passed away, depositing the pills in a “take back box” that is supplied by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health. The drugs are then transported to an incinerator where they are destroyed.  The program is spearheaded by Rescue 180; a group whose purpose is to educate the public on substance abuse. While most prescriptions are legally obtained, substance abuse is still a major problem in this region of Tennessee. “The Department of Health reports that 91 prescriptions are written per person in Tennessee,” said Rescue 180 director Rev. Debra Shultz. The “drug take back box” is located inside the Dandridge Police Department at 267 W Highway 25, Dandridge, TN 37725.  

Source: Jake Depew, Assistant Editor