Focus on ... DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
Tellico Community Foundation & Drug Take Back Day
Let’s talk drugs!
Specifically, the unfinished prescriptions and expired medications that are in Tellico Village bed stands, bathroom cabinets and drawers. Drugs which can be stolen, easily misplaced or inadvertently misused.
Every spring, the Tellico Community Foundation stages “Drug Take Back Day.” It is TCF’s signature event.
On the last Saturday in April, Tellico Villagers have a chance to turn in their expired and unused prescriptions. In 2023, we helped remove 175 pounds of drugs which might otherwise have been harmful to yourselves, your family, your visitors and/or the environment.
The local “Drug Take Back Day,” is jointly sponsored by TCF along with the Prevention Alliance of Loudon County and Align9. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) sponsors the overall event nationally. In 2020 during the pandemic, Americans turned in nearly 500 tons (more than 985 million pounds) of prescription drugs at 4,500 different DEA sponsored sites across the country.
The objective of every “Drug Take Back Day” is to provide a safe, convenient location to dispose of opioids and other medications and to raise awareness about the potential risks of abusing drugs.
Villagers drop off their unwanted drugs at the Welcome Center. The take back activity is supervised by local law enforcement officials. Representatives from the Tellico Village Lions Club traditionally are on hand to retrieve discarded pill bottles. The collected containers are sent to an organization in Ohio which repurposes them for prescription use in third world countries. Residents are requested to remove prescription labeling from the containers prior to donation.
For more information on Take Back Day visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback. The Information on the Prevention Alliance of Loudon County and Align9 can be accessed at: www.align9.org
Through the Tellico Community Foundation there is an opportunity to help address the opioid crisis with a tax-deductible donation. To give a one-time or recurring gift online to the Tellico Community Foundation, visit: www.etf.org/Tellico
The mission of the Tellico Community Foundation is to enrich the Loudon and Monroe County communities by funding programs and projects that provide support for seniors and promote healthy childhood development.
The Tellico Community Foundation is an affiliate fund of the East Tennessee Foundation.
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