A total of 291 pounds of unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs was collected Sept. 4 at a Drug Take-Back program in Fairfield Glade.  It was sponsored by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department and the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex at Fairfield Glade.

Casey Cox, chief investigator for the Sheriff’s Department, (above left) and Wendy Reed, exercise manager for the Wellness Complex at the Glade, organized the event. The drive-up collection site was in a pop-up tent in front of the Complex.

“This was such a great success, we plan to do it again in December,” said Cox. “Prescription drugs are the most widely abused drug nationwide and Tennessee ranks 2nd in the United States with the problem.”

The nearly 300 pounds of drugs were incinerated by the DEA, the plastic bottles recycled, and the insulin syringes disposed of by CMC.