National Drug Take Back Day Is April 27

The Newport Police Department and the Cocke County Sheriff’s Department are partnering with each other to help rid the county of unwanted prescription medications. National Drug Take Back Day is coming up on April 27. That day, Newport Police Department officers and Cocke County Deputies will be at Walgreens located at 102 E. Broadway in Newport from 10am-2pm. Newport Police Chief Scott Lamb says this is your opportunity to get rid of any wanted prescription medications that are in your home, no questions asked. However, Chief Lamb says that needles, syringes, and sharps will not be accepted. Lamb says National Drug Take Back Day helps get opioids and other medications off the street, pointing out how in 2022, the state of Tennessee reported over 3,500 deaths due to the use of opioids and pain relievers.

If you are unable to drop off your medications the drug take back event on April 27, you can always drop off any unwanted medications at the Newport Police Department on Main Street or the Cocke County Sheriff’s office inside the Cocke County Courthouse during their regular business hours.