Representatives with the Elizabethton and Carter County police departments, along with Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, are no strangers to seeing the impact from drug take-back events.

But while an impact continues to be made, a common question that flows through involves “sharps” and needles, according to CCDP Director Jilian Reece.

“We get that question a lot during our take-back events,” Reece said.

To help alleviate some concerns, Reece recently provided the Elizabethton Star with information about upcoming hazardous waste events in the region.

With five communities participating, Carter County will host their event at the Carter County Recycling Center, 411 Cherokee Park, on May 5.

Other locations taking part in the initiative include:

• April 14 – Washington County (Daniel Boone High School)

• April 28 – Sullivan County (Sullivan Central High School)

• Oct. 6 – Greene County (Hal Henard Elementary)

• Oct. 20 – Unicoi County (County Highway Garage)

Items that are accepted during the events include automotive and marine products, home maintenance items, lawn and garden products, and other miscellaneous items — including needles and medicines.

Reece was quick to stress the importance of disposing out-of-date medicines and other items at local police departments — which offer a drug disposal kiosk.

One of the initiatives utilized by the county is participating in the “Count It! Drop It! Lock It!” program gear to eliminate prescription drug abuse.

Each year, CCDP partners with local law enforcement to encourage residents to dispose of unused medicine. During the most recent event, Miss Tennessee 2017 Caty Davis was in the region to encourage the future generations to steer clear from drug abuse.

For more information about the upcoming disposal events, visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversation website.

Reece added that anyone looking to learn more about different projects in the region can visit the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition Facebook page online. The organization’s office is also located in downtown Elizabethton.