Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 28

Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 28

Local law enforcement taking part in statewide effort

ralphhardin@gmail.com The 14th annual National Drug Take Back is underway, and all across Arkansas, a statewide effort to get unwanted prescription drugs off the streets will take place this Saturday. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and Medical Examiner’s Office report hundreds of Arkansans died in 2016 from drug overdoses, with nearly 40 percent of those deaths from Pulaski, Sebastian and Washington counties.

The state’s highest-ranking law enforcement agent, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, is encouraging Arkansans to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring any unused or expired medications to one of the state’s more than 100 Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop-off locations this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Oftentimes teens first use prescription painkillers by stealing the pills from a family member’s medicine cabinet,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “The abuse and overdoes statistics are staggering, but cleaning out medicine cabinets and turning the expired and unused medications over to law enforcement during a Drug Take Back event can save lives.”

Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen encouraged local residents to properly dispose of their unused prescription medications, including a reminder that it’s not necessary to limit efforts to the designated takeback day. “We have a drop-off box in the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Department that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Allen “If you have old prescription meds around your cabinets bring them in and drop them in the drop box.” Rutledge released the following list of medications that will be accepted during the drop-off day:

• Opioids, such as Oxy-Contin

• Stimulants, such as Adderall

• Depressants, such as Ativan • Other prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medicines • Vitamins

• Pet medicines

• Medicated ointments and lotions

• Inhalers

• Liquid medicines in glass or leak-proof containers (up to 12 ounces)

• Medicine samples Medications may be returned in the original bottle or in any other container for increased privacy and will be properly destroyed by law enforcement officials.

“The West Memphis Police Department and the Marion Police Department also have drop boxes for unused or old prescription meds that you may have laying around,” Allen said.

“These old meds are a danger to others and should be destroyed. Thanks for you cooperation in this matter.” Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting waters, which could contaminate food and water supplies. Many medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems. Turning over these medications at Take Back Day events also reduces the risk of accidental poisonings by children, seniors or pets, as well as reduces the risk of drug

abuse.

Partnering on the Prescription Drug Take Back Day are the Arkansas Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Rotary Clubs, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, FBI, Office of the State Drug Director, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and over 130 additional law enforcement and government agencies, community organizations and public health providers.

By Ralph Hardin