SPD Supports Red Ribbon Week; Drug Take-Back Day Nets Over 80 Pounds of Prescription Drugs

Posted 10-28-19.

You may see Sevierville Police Department officers wearing red ribbons this week in support of the annual Red Ribbon Week national program.

 

Red Ribbon Week is sponsored by the non-profit National Family Partnership. Started in 1985, Red Ribbon Week serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. The National Family Partnership also provides many resources for parents on their website at redribbon.org.

In addition to wearing the red ribbons to increase awareness, the SPD conducted a drug take-back event this past Saturday, October 26. At the event, residents dropped-off over 80 pounds of unused or expired prescription medications. The purpose of drug take-back events is to reduce the chances of prescription medication abuse, encourage safekeeping of drugs in the home and to provide a safe method for the disposal of unwanted and expired medications. One of the most common ways that teenagers and children abuse prescription medications is by obtaining them from home medicine cabinets.

For more information on Red Ribbon Week and the National Family Partnership, visit redribbon.org.