Smith County resident, James Adam Allmon, was recently featured in a commercial promoting the Count It! Drop It! Lock It! initiative. Allmon has been sober for two years and 22 days. He has also been featured in an article in the Tennessean. Allmon has partnered with the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition to help spread awareness […]
$1.3M grant expands efforts of county anti-drug coalition
To fight a growing problem related to drug abuse, a local program has expanded its efforts statewide. After a $1.3 million grant from BlueCross Health Foundation last year, the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition (CCADC) has expanded its Count It! Lock It! Drop It! program. The program, which focuses on fighting prescription drug abuse, began in […]
Faces of Addiction: Judy, Part II
Lydia’s search to fill an emotional void began early in her childhood. At first, she channeled her desires through food, which led to a significant weight gain. When that failed, she turned to the one thing she thought could fill that void – prescription drugs. Once her mother, Judy, discovered her daughter’s addiction, she began […]
Retired nurse couldn’t save own daughter from opioids
Dec. 19, 2016 Jessica Bliss Her daughter had nine broken ribs and had a blood clot that required surgery to remove it. So, when Judy Jenkins called about her upcoming visit, the two women made plans to take it easy, go out to eat and visit a spa to get their nails done. Fun, low-key mother-daughter […]
Don’t become an accidental drug dealer
Dec. 17, 2016 Christina Merino Christina Merino: Make sure to count, lock and drop pain killers and keep them from being abused by others. I’ve heard a lot of addiction stories over the years, and most start out with “I had no idea she was taking pills” or “I wish I’d counted my pills and […]
Secure Your Medications Before the Celebrations
Keeping prescriptions stored properly reduces risk of misuse, serious situations CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — When preparing to host holiday gatherings, you may not immediately think to add ‘properly store medication’ to your to-do list. However, with prescription drug abuse and overdose increasing, it’s important to take appropriate measures to secure your medicines before visitors arrive. “Many […]
Participate in National Drug Take-Back Day
Tossing out old and unused items is a seasonal ritual for many, and it can prove to be a cathartic experience. Another semi-annual purging opportunity is just days away, and this one can save lives. Saturday, Oct. 22, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and it provides an easy way for any Tennessean to help […]
A Grassroots Program Grows
Count It! Lock it! Drop it! reduced prescription drug misuse in Coffee County and is going statewide. The greatest danger of prescription drugs is the widespread belief they aren’t dangerous. “In a 2009 survey of students in Coffee County, we saw that there was a very high rate of prescription drug use, with many kids […]
Tennesseans Share Opioid Abuse Stories in BlueCross-Sponsored Ad Series
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the fight to reduce prescription painkiller abuse across the state, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation has launched a public service campaign – “The Faces of Opioid Addiction” – to encourage Tennesseans to safely store or properly dispose of medications. The first of three TV spots recently debuted in Knoxville and […]
Local prescription drug program receives funding from BCBS of Tennessee Health Foundation
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation has provided $1.3 million in funding for the state’s Count It! Lock It! Drop It! program. The money is divvied up across the state to coalitions and organizations that participate in the program. The funding is for two years. The foundation will also provide brochures, counting sheets, and […]