Weakley County Prevention Coalition

10/23/2026

We've learned to COUNT IT. We've learned to LOCK IT. Now, it's time to DROP IT! 💊

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24! 📅

Throughout this month, we've shared how knowing what medications you have, keeping them securely stored, and properly disposing of those no longer needed can help prevent prescription medication misuse.

Now, we're encouraging Weakley County to put those steps into action!

Take a few minutes to check your medicine cabinet, gather medications that are expired, unused, or no longer needed, and make a plan to safely dispose of them.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day�It's another opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted medications at participating collection sites. We will be set up at Tates in Greenfield on Friday, October 23 and Phipps Pharmacy in Martin on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 PM.

Find a participating collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com.

Can't participate in Take Back Day? You can still dispose of unwanted medications at one of our eight permanent drop-off locations throughout Weakley County:
📍 Gleason City Hall�
📍 Greenfield Police Department�
📍 Martin Police Department�
📍 Crisp Hall at UT Martin�
📍 CVS in Martin�
📍 Sharon City Hall�
📍 Walmart in Martin�
📍 Weakley County Sheriff's Office

The next step is yours. Take action, dispose safely, and help make prevention part of our everyday lives.

10/22/2026

Bullying doesn't stop at the screen.

In our last post, we talked about the importance of being an upstander when witnessing bullying. But what happens when bullying moves into our digital spaces?

According to StopBullying.gov, cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through digital devices, including phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen through social media, text messages, online games, and other platforms where people communicate and share content.

Cyberbullying can take many forms, including:
-Mean or threatening messages intended to hurt or intimidate someone.
-Spreading rumors or sharing false information about others.
-Excluding or targeting others through harmful online interactions.
-Sharing embarrassing content or private information without someone's consent.

Unlike bullying that happens face-to-face, cyberbullying can follow young people beyond school hours, spread quickly, and leave a lasting digital footprint. It can also be harder for parents, teachers, and other trusted adults to recognize.

That's why prevention doesn't stop when we go online!

Being an upstander in digital spaces means refusing to participate in harmful behavior, thinking before sharing, supporting those being targeted, and speaking up when something isn't right.

By encouraging responsible digital behavior and creating supportive online environments, we can help protect young people's well-being and promote a culture of respect, both on and off the screen.

What we say and share online matters. Let's make it count!

Source: StopBullying.gov — What Is Cyberbullying?

10/21/2026

When communities come together, small actions can make a big difference in prevention! 💊

During April 2026's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 642,410 pounds of unwanted medications were collected nationwide, with 49 pounds collected right here in Weakley County!

Those numbers represent medications that were safely removed from homes and communities, helping reduce opportunities for accidental access and prescription medication misuse.

And the opportunity to make a difference doesn't end there!

📅 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24! It's another opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted medications at participating collection sites. We will be set up at Tates in Greenfield on Friday, October 23 and Phipps in Martin on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 PM.

You can also safely dispose of unwanted medications year-round at Weakley County's eight permanent medication drop-off locations:

📍 Gleason City Hall�
📍 Greenfield Police Department�
📍 Martin Police Department�
📍 Crisp Hall at UT Martin�
📍 CVS in Martin�
📍 Sharon City Hall�
📍 Walmart in Martin�
📍 Weakley County Sheriff's Office

Every medication properly disposed of is one less opportunity for misuse. DROP IT. and be part of prevention!

Source: DEA, April 2026 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Results; WCPC local collection data

10/21/2026

Don't just stand by. Stand up!

We've talked about the impact bullying can have on young people, but preventing bullying also means recognizing the role we can play when we see it happening.
According to StopBullying.gov, bystanders are people who witness bullying, while upstanders take action to help stop it or support the person experiencing it.

Being an upstander doesn't always require a big gesture. Small actions can make a meaningful difference:

-Show support: Check in with someone experiencing bullying and let them know -they're not alone.
-Speak up safely: Interrupt bullying when it's safe to do so, without escalating the situation.
-Include others: Reach out to someone who may be feeling excluded or isolated.
Get help: Report bullying to a trusted adult who can step in.

When we choose to support others instead of staying silent, we help build a culture of kindness, belonging, and respect.

Prevention is something we can all be part of. Every action toward creating a safer, more supportive environment matters!

Source: StopBullying.gov — Bystanders to Bullying

10/20/2026

🎶 TONIGHT’S PLANS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! 🎤🎉

Looking for something fun to do tonight? Come join us for SINGO BINGO! 🎵

It’s bingo with a musical twist! Instead of calling out numbers, we’re playing songs! 🎶 Recognize the song? Mark it on your card! And yes, singing along is encouraged! 🎤

📍 Martin Public Library
📅 TONIGHT, October 20
⏰ 5:00–7:30 PM
🍿 Snacks provided!

Bring your friends, family, or coworkers and join us for a fun evening of music, laughs, and a little friendly competition!

🎉 Help us spread the word! Tag someone you’d bring with you, share this post, and come have some fun with us tonight!

Alcohol & drug use affects every sector of society, straining our economy, our healthcare & criminal justice systems, & endangering the futures of young people.

10/19/2026

You've learned to COUNT IT. You've learned to LOCK IT. Now, it's time for the final step in prescription safety: DROP IT. 📍

Knowing what medications you have and keeping them securely stored are important parts of prevention, but what happens when those medications are expired, unused, or no longer needed?

Keeping unwanted medications around can create unnecessary opportunities for accidental access and misuse. Proper disposal helps remove those risks from your home and is another simple way to put prevention into practice.

Fortunately, safely disposing of unwanted medications is something you can do right here in Weakley County!

Eight permanent medication drop-off locations:

📍 Gleason City Hall
📍 Greenfield Police Department
📍 Martin Police Department
📍 Crisp Hall at UT Martin
📍 CVS in Martin
📍 Sharon City Hall
📍 Walmart in Martin
📍 Weakley County Sheriff's Office

And don't forget! National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24! It's another opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted medications at participating collection sites. We will be set up at Tates in Greenfield on Friday, October 23 and Phipps in Martin on Saturday, October 24 from 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

This week, we'll be sharing more about why proper disposal matters and how our community can take action.

COUNT IT. LOCK IT. DROP IT. Prevention starts with the steps we take at home.

10/19/2026

It’s time to clean out those medicine cabinets!

Join us for National Drug Take Back Day. WCPC is providing TWO opportunities to safely dispose of unused or expired medications! 💊

🗓️ Friday, October 23
📍 Tate’s Pharmacy in Greenfield
🕚9 AM – 12 PM

🗓️Saturday, October 24
📍Phipps Pharmacy in Martin
🕚9 AM – 12 PM

Simply drop your medications in the collection box, no questions asked!

Bring the family by for some candy, free medication lockboxes, and other helpful resources!

Getting unused medications out of our homes is one simple way we can help keep our families and community safe. We hope to see you there!

Alcohol & drug use affects every sector of society, straining our economy, our healthcare & criminal justice systems, & endangering the futures of young people.

10/16/2026

Fall break looks good on THRIVE! 🎃 We spent the day at Donnell Century Farm making memories, enjoying the fall weather, and spending time together outside of school. So glad we got to wrap up fall break with this crew!

10/16/2026

You’ve learned why secure storage matters. Now, can you spot the risk? 🔍🔒

Take a look at where medications are kept in your home. A counter, nightstand, bathroom sink, or other easily accessible spot may be convenient, but it may also leave medication within reach of someone who shouldn’t have access to it.

LOCK IT. means thinking about more than where you put your medications. It means making sure they are securely stored and not easily accessible to children, teens, family members, friends, or visitors.

Take a quick look around your home today. If you spot an unsecured medication, move it to a safer location and lock it up. And if you need an added layer of security, WCPC offers FREE medication lock boxes to Weakley County residents! 🔐

Small changes in how medications are stored can help reduce opportunities for accidental access and misuse. Spot the risk. Make the change. LOCK IT.

Next up: 📍 DROP IT.

Source: CDC, Up and Away; CDC, Preventing Opioid Misuse

10/15/2026

We've talked about how bullying can impact a young person's emotional well-being, relationships, academics, and physical health. But those effects can also connect to another important part of prevention: substance misuse.

When young people face difficult experiences, how they cope matters.

According to StopBullying.gov, research has found a connection between bullying involvement and substance use. Students who bully others or who both bully and experience bullying may be more likely to use alcohol, ci******es, and ma*****na than students who are not involved in bullying.

While bullying does not automatically lead to substance misuse, it highlights the importance of helping young people navigate difficult emotions in healthy ways.

That's where prevention comes in! Supportive adults, positive friendships, strong family relationships, healthy coping skills, and a sense of belonging can help strengthen the protective factors in a young person's life.

By creating environments where youth feel supported, valued, and connected, we can help them develop healthier ways to handle life's challenges.

Connection is prevention.

Source: StopBullying.gov — What Do Bullying and Youth Substance Use Have in Common? More Than You Might Think