More than 400 Villagers turned in 255 pounds of useless medications Saturday at the Welcome Center and Kahite Clubhouse for Drug Take Back Day.
The event, sponsored by the Tellico Community Foundation, an affiliate fund of the East Tennessee Foundation, was deemed a major success.
“Once again, Tellico Villagers stepped up,” TCF Chairman Joe Beyel said. “Thanks to all the Village residents who brought their unwanted drugs and committed to dispose of these drugs in a safe manner. These expired and unused medications were effectively removed from harm’s way and eliminated the potential for possible abuse.”
Beyel expressed gratitude to the Prevention Alliance of Loudon County, Align 9 and the Monroe County Prevention and Wellness Coalition for promotional support and furnishing personnel to help with the collection of returned drugs. The Tellico Village Lions Club also enjoyed a mega haul of discarded pill bottles and caps.
TCF Advisory Board member Joe Bogardus, who managed the event for the foundation, was encouraged by the broad support.
“The foundation appreciated the POA granting permission for us to use the Welcome Center and Kahite Clubhouse parking lots,” Bogardus said. “Having these central locations as collection points were a major factor in the success of this annual event.”
This was the Village’s third year of participation. A combined 840 pounds of drugs have been removed from possible abusive distribution since 2019. The 2020 event was canceled because of COVID-19.
“The foundation launched a comprehensive integrated communications effort,” Bogardus said. “The cooperation we received from local Village and Loudon County media was outstanding. It really helped get the word out to the Village.”
Mike Worrell of Black Umbrella Design generated campaign materials and oversaw their production.
