MARION, SC (WBTW) – A major benefit walk is set to take place in Marion on Saturday, April 28th to support victims of crimes and their families. 

The event comes two weeks after National Crime Victims Rights Week. It will be held at Marion Hike and Bike Trail at 9 AM. The 2-mile run will start and end at the Marion Chamber of Commerce. The event is a joint effort between the Marion Police Department and the Department of Juvenile Justice. The main goal is to support crime victims in Marion but also educate the public and bring the community together. 

“I want it to be a sense of healing for any victims who do come out,” said Cynthia Ford, director of the Marion County Department of Juvenile Justice. And for those who are not victims, just to be aware of what those victims are going through.” 

Tammy Erwin, a victims advocate for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, echoed that sentiment, saying “This is an opportunity for us all to come together and put our arms around each other and say ‘hey you are not alone. We’ve got you.’“

There will also be a prescription drug takeback which is part of the fight against the opioid epidemic. Local authorities will be at the event helping residents properly dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medications. They say many people think flushing pills down the toilet is a safe and effective way to get rid of them. But Shelley Marsh, a victims advocate with the City of Marion Police Department, says that is false. She says authorities are working to educate residents about proper disposal and storage of medicines. They also want people to be aware of the dangers of failing to properly get rid of prescription drugs. 

“The theme this year for the DEA’s National Takeback Day is ‘Don’t Be a Dealer.’ Because studies show most people get their medications from a friend or a family member,” said Marsh. “We’re trying to inform the public as well about ways to properly store your medications and keeping them locked. Because with the opioid epidemic, currently Marion County is ranked fourth.”

Marsh says a prescription drug dropbox is located in the Sheriff’s Department. Residents can stop by and dump their medications there.

 
If you’d like to participate in the walk, you can register until the day of. Registration will begin at 8 AM Saturday morning and the walk is scheduled to begin at 9 AM. Participants can either sign up as a group or as a single runner.