BUSINESS PARTNERS-By partnering with local businesses Town and Country Pharmacy (above), Bank of Celina, and Macon Bank and Trust (bank partnerships pictured at end of article), the Clay County Anti-Drug Coalition is bringing community awareness to their mission. (Facebook.com/claycoalition photo graphics)

Effort uses community outreach and education to combat prescription drug abuse

CELINA-The Clay County Anti-Drug Coalition (CCADC) continued to promote their mission recently by partnering with local businesses Town and Country Pharmacy, Bank of Celina, and Macon Bank and Trust.

CCADC provided free lockboxes for medication to the pharmacy and free money holders with community resources printed on them to the banks.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Macon Bank and Trust and Bank of Celina,” CCADC officials said.  “And we are always glad to provide free lockboxes to our partner Town and Country Pharmacy!

“If you need one, stop by and see them, and we hope the community benefits from all of these partnerships.”

They also encouraged the public to count medications, lock them up to keep them safe, and drop their old, unused medications at the drop box located at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

“Many Tennesseans think opioid pain medication addiction is a risk for ‘other people,’ and that they are not at risk,” the CCADC said.  “Despite this perception, 52% of individuals statewide have had concerns about family or loved ones becoming addicted, and 64% said they know someone who became addicted.

“In fact, an estimated 4.5% (approximately 70,000) of Tennesseans are addicted to opioids. At least 1,186 residents died as a result of opioid overdoses in 2016. There were 1,631 overdose deaths total.”

CCADC is focused on community outreach and education to reduce prescription drug misuse and addiction.

With Tennessee’s ranking third in the nation in prescribing opioids, it is the CCADC’s mission to make the community aware of the risks and dangers associated with the prescription drug misuse epidemic and bringing organizations together to help combat these issues.

“We could not do what we do without our amazing community partners and partnering businesses to help us further and strengthen our mission for our great Clay County!” they said.