Organizations in Graves County are partnering with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office to participate in their Opioid Disposal Program.
Six organizations in Graves County are working with state Attorney General Andy Beshear to distribute 500 Kentucky Opioid Disposal Program pouches.
These organizations include the Graves County School system, Duncan Prescription Center, the Graves County Sheriff’s Office, The Graves County Agency For Substance Abuse Policy, Office of the Graves County Commonwealth’s Attorney and Graves County High School Students Taking On a Promise, or the 'STOP' program.
The pouches allow residents to dispose of up to 22,500 unused opioids. Unused medication is placed into the pouch, filled with warm water, and after 30 seconds, the packet is shaken, sealed and can be properly disposed in the trash.
Sheriff Dewayne Redmon said the opioid abuse problem is starting to grow in Graves County. He said proper disposal of the drugs means fewer will be available for distribution, making it more difficult for addicts to obtain.
“We are well aware of the nearly epidemic problem in the eastern part of our state and we are determined to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse before it grows out of control in our county,” Redmon said. “This program is a big step in doing that. If we can cut off sources for people to obtain these highly addictive substances, then we are well on our way to controlling a problem that has already adversely affected many, many families.”
Beshear launched the program last August. It’s the state’s first initiative that allows Kentuckians to safely dispose of opioid medications at home.
The program has also been launched in Floyd, Henderson, McCracken and Perry counties.
