Prescription drug abuse is on the rise across the country, state and in Watauga County. In order to address this issue locally, the Watauga County Sheriff's Office invited medical professionals to a training seminar last week covering the most abused narcotics, current prescription forgery trends and regulations. More than 20 physicians, dentists, pharmacists, surgeons, and emergency room personnel attended. Sheriff Len Hagaman said they organized this training to create a partnership between their office and those working in the medical field and that communication is vital to addressing this issue. Sheriff Hagaman said another prescription drug drop-off initiative similar to Operation Medicine Cabinet would be held this spring.