District Attorney Michael Dunavant and fellow Tennessee district attorneys have kicked off a statewide campaign to fight the rising rates of prescription medication and synthetic drug abuse among Tennessee’s youth.

The campaign is called Deceptive Danger, because Tennessee’s youth is deceived into thinking that any substance prescribed by a doctor or purchased in a convenience store is safe.

Campaign materials include a new educational DVD, two posters and a brochure. In addition, the district attorneys will be making presentations and distributing the materials to public middle and high schools across the state, supported by a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Deceptive Danger campaign follows an increase in prescription medication and synthetic drug abuse in Tennessee.

Tipton County Sheriff’s Office has been recognized as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and in the nation for its traffic safety program. The sheriff’s office was named third in the nation in the Sheriff’s Category for its size and first in Tennessee in its category. Tipton County was named first in the nation in 2008-2009 and second in 2009-2010. It received first place honors in the state in 2008-2009, and second in 2010-2011.

The awards are presented annually as part of the Law Enforcement Challenge that includes sheriff’s offices, police departments, and highway patrol districts. It is a state and national traffic safety awards program that recognizes excellent law enforcement traffic safety programs.