The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness. With organizations and affiliates in every state, NAMI effectively provides advocacy, research, support, and education about serious mental illness. Members of NAMI include consumers, families and friends of people living with mental illnesses, mental health providers, students, educators, law enforcement, public officials, politicians, members of faith communities, and concerned citizens.

Today, NAMI Tennessee depends on the hard work of a dedicated group of volunteers to provide a telephone Help Line, education programs, support groups, as a well as an e-newsletter, and monthly general education meeting.

Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) are located throughout the state of Tennessee as a point of contact for training and education on opioid overdose and for overdose prevention through the distribution of naloxone.

From October 2017 to December 2019, the ROPS distributed more than 134,000 units of naloxone, and TDMHSAS has documented at least 13,400 lives saved because of naloxone distributed during that time.  Because of stigma and other factors, the department believes the actual number of lives saved is much higher.

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) is a statewide organization working tirelessly to eliminate the stigma of suicide.

Staff and volunteers are often counselors, mental health professionals, physicians, clergy,  journalists, social workers, law enforcement personnel as well as survivors of suicide and suicide attempts. Suicide does not discriminate against age, race, means, or profession. We would like our volunteers to be just as diverse in background as the people we strive to reach.

If you need help now:

The statewide crisis line is a 24/7/365 call system to help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.

All calls are routed to a trained crisis specialist within your area. The service is free.

Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471)

Created by the Office of Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention, this training equips staff members with tools and resources to ultimately save lives within the workplace and beyond.

The “Be the One” initiative began in the State of Tennessee as a suicide prevention campaign for co-workers. It is based on the idea that colleagues can help build a supportive workforce which values and affirms life.

The “Be the One” training teaches you how to recognize when someone they know may be thinking about suicide. It teaches how to ask the question directly and offers tips on how to develop good listening skills, a key component of suicide prevention.

The “Be the One” training provides tools that instill hope when someone you know seems to have lost all hope.

Three key components of the campaign:

1. Provides suicide awareness and social marketing strategies by providing information regarding suicide and serves as a reminder that suicide can happen at any time to anyone
2. Teaches participants how to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide, how to ask the question directly and offers tips on how to develop good listening skills, which is a key component of suicide prevention
3. Provides postvention suggestions in the event a suicide occurs to someone in the workforce

We believe this campaign can be adopted into any workforce environment. We hope you will join us and learn how to “Be the One.”

For more information on how YOU can “Be the One,” send inquiries to BeTheOne.Info@tn.gov

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services, including linkage to substance use disorder treatment; access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment; and vaccination, testing, and linkage to care and treatment for infectious diseases.

SSPs protect the public and first responders by facilitating the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Providing testing, counseling, and sterile injection supplies also helps prevent outbreaks of other diseases.

See the resources attached for more information and locations.

Use of recreational drugs, over the counter medications or prescription drugs can lead to substance use issues. It can frequently lead to problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, and leave the user feeling isolated, helpless, or shamed. If you’re worried about your own or a loved one’s drug use, it’s helpful to know the warning signs and more importantly, that help is available and treatment works.

Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse

• Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home
• Risk taking when you’re using, such as driving, having unprotected sex
• Legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence

Physical warning signs of drug abuse

• Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
• Changes in appetite, sleep patterns, physical appearance
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing, or impaired coordination

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

• Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies

Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

• Unexplained change in personality or attitude
• Sudden mood swings, irritability, spaced-out, or angry outbursts
• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason

Recognizing there’s a problem is the first step on the road to recovery, which often takes tremendous courage and strength.  If you’re ready to face your addiction and are willing to seek help, you have the opportunity to build a satisfying, drug-free life for yourself.

For immediate help and information on treatment, contact the Redline
Phone: (800) 889-9789

Source: The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) is a voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting the nation’s #1 health problem – alcoholism, drug addiction, and the devastating consequences of alcohol and other drugs on individuals, families, and communities.

In counties and communities across Tennessee, prevention coalitions are working to reduce dependence on harmful and potentially lethal substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. These local efforts, funded by the State of Tennessee since 2008, help get the word out about the dangers and consequences of substance misuse.

“These coalitions are made up of people who care a lot for their communities and want to make them safer, and free of drugs. Their members include police officers, school teachers, doctors, nurses, elected leaders, mayors, council members, parents and students,” said E. Douglas Varney, former Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “They are people who come from all walks of life, see what’s going on in their area, and then take action, informing citizens about potential threats, and to help prevent substance use.”

Count It! Lock It! Drop It!® (CLD), a comprehensive community plan for prescription drug misuse prevention, is based in Coffee County, Tenn. The program stems from the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition (CCADC), whose mission is to create a safe and drug-free local community.

Now, with support from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation and the community at large, the initiative is launching a statewide effort to combat the misuse of prescription pain medication.

CLD is focused on community outreach and education to reduce prescription drug misuse and addiction. With Tennessee’s ranking third in the nation in prescribing opioids, it is CLD’s mission to make the community aware of the risks and dangers associated with the prescription drug misuse epidemic.

The Tennessee department of Mental health and Substance Abuse Services is proud to offer the TN Recover app.

This app is designed for people in recovery from substance use disorder or for people looking to get more information on preventing addiction. The TN recover app is available for download in the Apple Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Text SAVE to 30678 to download the free TN Recover app.