WELCOME TO THE ONLINE HOME OF THE

SHELBY COUNTY

PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Advocates for the People of Shelby County

R. Kent Apsley, Prosecuting Attorney

407 South Harrison Street | Shelbyville, Indiana 46176

As many times as we tell our children "Don't do drugs", it is never as effective as hearing it from another kid. That is the whole idea behind our annual calendar project.  As the children work on their posters in the classroom, they share their own personal message with each other.  This "Just say no" message is then repeated 365 days a year in our calendar.

All interested Shelby County 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students are encouraged to participate in this project.  Winners of the annual contest have their artwork featured in our most recent calendar.  U.S. Savings Bonds are also awarded to the Grand Prize winner as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes winners from each class.  Contest guidelines and cutoff dates are sent to the principals of all areas schools at the beginning of the school year.  An awards ceremony is held annually during Red Ribbon Week in October.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PROSECUTOR

The fight against drug abuse in Shelby County takes place on an ever shifting battle field. Over my many years with the Prosecutor’s Office, I have seen the popularity of certain drugs rise and then fade away. I watched the wave of methamphetamine labs come to our hometown just like it had to others before us. We reacted forcefully as a community and now the prevalence of clandestine drug labs is mostly a memory. Inevitably, new drugs move in to fill the void.

There is a new killer drug on the streets of Shelby County. It does not come across the border from Mexico. It is not smuggled in on cargo ships from the poppy fields of Afghanistan. Its source is our very own homes, our medicine cabinets, the bottles on the kitchen counter. Prescription drug abuse is the number one drug issue facing our community today.

Sometimes these drugs come from drug dealers who steal them to sell. Often dealers will doctor shop, jumping from one healthcare provider to another. They will obtain multiple, overlapping prescriptions in order to sell the excess on the streets. However, more commonly, especially with young users or those experimenting with prescription drugs, the source is their own families.

Kids routinely think that if a medicine comes from a doctor that it must be safe. Wrong! Prescription drug overdoses kill more people in this county every year than illegal narcotics.

I am often asked by parents, what can I do to help protect my children from drug abuse? There are some very simple things you can do. Secure your prescription drugs. Lock them up. You wouldn’t leave a loaded gun just lying around the house. Don’t leave your prescription meds where anybody can easily get to them. Dispose of your old medications. When you don’t need them anymore, get rid of them. The worst thing to do is to have medications around the house that nobody will miss. The elderly are often targets of prescription drug theft. Help them secure their daily medications. Give them a hand to properly dispose of old unused or out of date prescriptions.

Parents, you want to help fight drug abuse in Shelby County? Here is your chance.
 

- R. Kent Apsley

You may click on each photograph below to see the artwork. (Opens in a new window)

To see information about the Drug-Free Calendar Contest, Click Here.

CLICK ON THE YEAR TO SEE THE DRUG-FREE CONTEST WINNERS

2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006  • 2005

To see a copy of the most recent Contest Entry Guidelines, Click Here.