The first of two Drug Take Back Events coordinated by two area organizations is this weekend.
The event, part of the DEA Take Back programs going on across the country, is locally coordinated by Drug Free Ozarks and Taney County ADAPT Coalition. Marietta Hagen and Tiffany Setchfield visited KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program to talk about the local locations, which include Walgreens Pharmacies in Branson and Hollister as well as Lakeland Pharmacies in Branson and Forsyth. Another location will be in Kimberling City at the Port of Kimberling as part of The Brook Wellness Center Recovery Walk.
Hagen and Setchfield emphasized that the event is as much about awareness as it is about taking drugs back with many locations now available 24/7. Part of that awareness they say is that 53% of misused prescription drugs come from family and friends as well as a survey that indicates that nearly three quarters of heroin users report misusing prescription pain pills prior to using heroin.
Other locations in the region and across the nation will host events this weekend. The national DEA Takeback Event Website has more information on locations.
The complete interview from "Ozarks Now" is below:
Student ‘did not intend to use’ gun brought to school, says Nixa district officials
College of the Ozarks hosts biannual OWL Luncheon
Scattered Showers Moving Through the Lakes Region
Man With Outstanding Taney County Warrant Arrested
Branson Wraps Up Old, Begins New Legislative Year