CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) –  Local law enforcement, first responders and community organizations joined with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Saturday to collect 132 pounds of expired, unused and unwanted drugs on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Citizens were urged to bring unused pills or patches to booths set up at these participating  local stores: Walmart on Fort Campbell Blvd and Walmart on Madison Street, Sango Pharmacy, and Walgreens on Tiny Town Road.

“This was a great community effort,” said Patti Hill, Health Educator at the Montgomery County Health Department and a coordinator of  Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention. “We had APSU Police, Clarksville Police and Sheriff’s deputies, the Drug Task Force, Clarksville Fire Rescue with their trucks at each site, students from Clarksville Academy and ASAP members. In all, more than 20 volunteers participated, and many community members thanked us for our efforts and told us to keep up the good work.”

The Clarksville Police Department reported collecting 45.5 pounds of unwanted or expired prescription drugs from citizens while stationed at the Fort Campbell Boulevard Walmart. CPD also has a Count It! Lock It! Drop It! Program, which provides drop locations for unwanted prescription drugs from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. weekdays throughout the year. The drop boxes are at Department Headquarters, 135 Commerce St.; District 1 office, 211 Cunningham Lane; and District 3 office, 1584 Vista Lane.

Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention is a community coalition that is open to interested citizens. The group meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month at the Public Library in Veterans Plaza, 350 Pageant Lane. ASAP also offers free Narcan Training at the same time in Civic Hall.  Participants receive a training certificate and two narcan boxes to take home.

Take Back events address a vital public safety issue.  Federal studies show that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including medication being stolen from home medicine cabinets. In addition, Americans are now advised that the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them or throwing them in the trash — both pose safety and health hazards.

For more about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Take Back Day events, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.