Prescription drugs obtained and taken by people other than the patient are increasing in Rutherford County, a sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau detective said.
People abusing prescription drugs are taking the medicine from home, forging prescriptions and visiting different doctors to get the drugs, said Sgt. Jerremy Weaver.
“It’s estimated about 40 percent of our drug buys, arrests and enforcement activities are directly related to diverted pharmaceuticals,” Weaver said.
Citizens can help reduce the illegal prescription use by turning in expired or unused prescriptions to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office lobby at 940 New Salem Highway.
Sheriff Robert Arnold agreed the sheriff’s office will partner with the DEA to collect the prescription medicine. DEA collected more than 121 tons of pills nationwide during the disposal last year. DEA will safely dispose of the prescriptions.
Weaver said patrol officers are finding suspects with more prescription drugs.
Prescription drug abuse is rising because the drugs are readily accessible and do not carry a social stigma like illegal drugs.
“It’s become more and more popular to teenagers and young adults,” Weaver said, explaining he personally believes prescription drugs have become a gateway drug leading to more potent and illegal drugs.
Residents can help combat the problem by turning in expired and unused prescriptions to the DEA to keep others from abusing the medications.
Also, state law requires patients to inform doctors if they’ve been to another physician for the same complaint to avoid “doctor shopping” in an effort to fraudulently obtain prescriptions, Weaver said.
For more information, contact Weaver at 896-3609. |
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