FRESNO - A kick-off rally will be held on Sunday, October 15th at 7:00 pm. It takes place at Peoples Church, 7172 N. Cedar Ave. in Fresno. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims will be one of the guest speakers who discusses how prescription drug abuse has a negative impact on our community. The community is encouraged to sign-up and take part in the “Stomp it Out 5K Fun Run/Walk” on Saturday, October 21st at Clovis Community College, located at 10309 N Willow Ave., Fresno, 93720.

During the event, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will also be collecting unused prescription drugs in the school parking lot. It’s all part of the “Lock it Up” project, which Sheriff Margaret Mims and former Fresno County Supervisor Debbie Poochigian helped form to stomp out prescription drug abuse (PDA). This is something that’s been identified as one of the most urgent problems to tackle in the FresnoClovis area. It also has gained support from local congregations, the Clovis Unified School District and local businesses.

Those wishing to participate in the race can register is online at www.stompitoutpda.com. The race starts at 8:30 am. The entry fee is $15.00. There will be a free fun run, bounce houses and other activities available for kids. There is no fee to enter the festival. All community members and families are invited to attend.

This will be the 4th annual PDA 5K. Last year, more than 650 people participated in the event. The Sheriff’s Office received more than 75 lbs. of old and unused prescription drugs. All proceeds from the event will go to The Sheriff’s Foundation, which then distributes the earnings to programs for teens and youth throughout the valley.

Abuse of prescription drugs in Fresno County has risen tenfold during the past decade. In the last three years, there has been a 20% increase in young people reporting the abuse of Vicodin and OxyContin. Most of the abuse is reportedly happening in Clovis and north Fresno. Prescription drug abuse is also tied to crime. The Sheriff’s Office has identified it as being driving force of some home break-ins as young people are looking for pills.

“With the help of the community, prescription drug abuse can be reduced in our community. By raising awareness about the facts surrounding this epidemic and educating citizens of how they can help and properly dispose of drugs, we hope Fresno and Clovis will become a safer place for our teens and children to live. We are expecting this year to show an increase in participation and drugs collected,” ” said Dan Darchuck, event coordinator.