The Blount County Sheriff’s Office will host it’s first-ever Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday September 25th from 10 am to 2 pm at the front entrance of the Blount County Justice Center, 940 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway Maryville.

The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. The effort is part of a nationwide initiative with similar events taking place at law enforcement agencies across the country. This service will allow the public to surrender expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances to law enforcement officers for destruction. The purpose is to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. Drug Take-Back Day is an effort by the DEA and local law enforcement to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in this country. Studies have shown that a majority of people who abuse prescription drugs get them from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The event is also being held because many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away—both of which are potential safety and health hazards.