The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of this major health and safety initiative, the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition will host two take-back events across Coffee County.
Community members are encouraged to stop by one of these local take-back locations to drop off their unused or expired medications, especially pain relievers and other prescription drugs that are often abused.
Pharmacists and law enforcement officers will be on hand to accept the medications and safely dispose of them, no questions asked. Over-the-counter and veterinary medication will also be accepted at take-back locations.

· First Vision Bank – 2134 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester
· Walgreen’s – 700 N Jackson Street, Tullahoma

“Fifty-five percent of those who abuse prescription pain medications say they got them from a family member or a friend,” said Christina Merino, Executive Director of the Coalition and co-developer of Count It! Lock It! Drop It! “Take-back days are a safe and easy way to get these drugs out of your home.”
“Count It! Lock It! Drop It! is focused on educating Tennesseans on the importance of counting their pills, locking up their medications and storing them in a secure place, and dropping medications at secure drop boxes or at take-back events,” said Christina Merino. “The more opportunities people have to clean out their medicine cabinets, the less likely it is that those pills will fall into the hands of a teenager or someone seeking a high.”
If you can’t make it to the take-back day, visit http://countitlockitdropit.org/drop-box-finder/ to find a drop box in your community. Contact CCADC for more information at 931.570.4484 or cmerino@ccantidrug.org.

Motlow State Community College is holding a “Motlow for Homeschoolers” information night on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 5 – 6 p.m. on the Moore County campus. The session will be held in Room 105 in the Marcum Technology Center.
The event is open to all homeschool parents and students who want to learn about critical information regarding attending college.
“Motlow State is really excited to provide an opportunity to host homeschool students and their parents for this very informative event,” said Jeremy Mills, director of recruitment.
The program will cover multiple topics including the admissions process, high school dual enrollment opportunities at Motlow, Tennessee Promise eligibility, financial aid, scholarship basics, and the Motlow honors program. Students and parents will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session.
“As a Motlow alumnus who graduated high school as a homeschool student, I personally experienced the benefits that Motlow has to offer,” added Mills. “I believe our guests will be impressed at the opportunities Motlow provides for students in a safe and very welcoming environment.”
Students and parents planning to attend are asked to contact Jeremy Mills at jmills1@mscc.edu or by calling 615-220-7914.

On Wednesday afternoon Manchester Police responded to a two-car accident at the intersection of Woodbury Highway and Hendrixson Drive. Officers state that the driver of one vehicle struck another, with the second vehicle landing upside down. The driver of the first vehicle apparently left the scene without reporting the accident or stopping to check on the other driver. The driver of the vehicle that landed upside down was taken by Coffee County EMS to Unity Medical Center to be evaluated for injuries.
Officers then placed a “Be on the lookout” notice for the driver of the other vehicle. Police later apprehended Brandi Jo Clark on Gowen Road approximately three hours after the crash. A check of Clark’s driver’s license showed her to be revoked/suspended for a 3rd offense. Clark, age 20, of Ragsdale Rd., Manchester, allegedly admitted to officers that she had fled the scene due to her having a minor child in the vehicle and not wanting to go to jail.
Clark was charged by Manchester Officer Dale Robertson with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, and driving on revoked/suspended license 3rd offense. Her bond was set at $17,000 and her court date will be November 22, 2016.

Photo by Barry West