Drug Task Force officers across the state banned together since November to eradicate illicit and deadly drugs from communities, culminating with “Operation Task Force Arkansas” on Jan. 25, 2023. Their efforts led to more than 1,200 arrests, confiscation of hundreds of firearms, and more than $55 million of fentanyl, meth, cocaine, opioid pills, and other drugs.

“This is a new day in Arkansas,” said Arkansas Drug Director Boyce Hamlet, “We are grateful to our drug task force agents and commanders for their cooperation and leadership. If you are a person that deals fentanyl and opioids in our communities, to our families, and around our children you need to understand the old way of doing business is over.”

He added, “Arkansas is sick of the death, destruction, and sadness you have brought upon our state. We may have missed you this time, but we won’t the next time. Make a business decision and find a new profession. You have been warned.”

All 18 operational Drug Task Force units in Arkansas ended the 3-month focus with the 3-day intense warrants sweep serving 300 total warrants. In just three days, officers were able to confiscate 122 grams of fentanyl, 6,572 grams of meth, 500 prescription pills, 500 counterfeit pills (mostly fentanyl), 79 firearms and 256 arrests. Since the first day of 2023, they have totaled 522 arrests, more than 1.5 million grams of drugs (including 609 grams of fentanyl and nearly 60,000 grams of methamphetamine) and nearly 23,000 pills, all estimated at $21,852,048 estimate value of the drug confiscations.

Since November 1, 2022, the Drug Task Force officers have made 1,274 arrests, seized 372 firearms, and amassed 2,262,090 grams of drugs and 39,324 pills for $55,387,093 in estimated value of drug confiscations. The total confiscations since November 1, 2022, are:

• Cocaine (crack): 657 grams
• Cocaine (powder): 6,932 grams
• LSD/Ecstasy (MDMA): 165 dosages
• Heroin: 573 grams
• Fentanyl: 11,068 grams
• Marijuana/THC edibles (in all forms): 1,842,090 grams
• Methamphetamine: 260,728 grams
• Opioid pills: 18,392 pills
• Counterfeit pills: 20,726 pills
• Kratom: 2,036 grams
• Vape Pens: 1,541 cartridges
• Other (including Psilocybin mushrooms): 138,500 grams.

For information and treatment and recovery centers in Arkansas, where to dispose of medications, and more, visit www.ardrugtakeback.org. On the website, the Arkansas Opioid Dashboard has a map of the state in which individuals can click individual counties to reveal each counties own Opioid Dashboard, which contains information on Peer Recovery Specialists, drug and alcohol statistics, and more. Prescription medicines are toxic waste and pose a danger to people, pets, and the environment. Dispose of expired & unneeded medications in an environmentally save method by taking them to any of the 270 permanent drop box locations in Arkansas. To find a location, click on the Collection Sites tab and enter a zip code.

Provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate an estimated 93,331 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2020, an increase of 29.4% from the 72,151 deaths predicted in 2019. In Arkansas, 618 people died from a drug overdose death in 2021.

Multiple drugs and guns were seized and five people on parole were arrested at three locations in El Dorado to kickstart 2023. The 13th Judicial Drug Task Force in conjunction with the El Dorado Police Department and Union County Sheriff’s Department completed the multi-months long “Operation Cave Closed” on Tuesday, January 3.

During the course of the investigation, officers identified several individuals believed to be involved in illegal drug activity. During the execution of the search warrant, officers seized 539 grams of methamphetamine, 15 grams of cocaine, 156 grams of crack cocaine, 288 grams of marijuana, 255 grams of synthetic marijuana, 6 firearms, $12,422 and a vehicle.

The individuals taken into custody are:

• Ronald Brown faces charges of delivery of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, unlawful use of a communication device, and trafficking a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He is being held on $200,000 bond at the Union County Detention Center. Brown is currently serving federal parole and state parole/probation.

• Remondo Carver faces charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearm, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (synthetic marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug premises. He is being held on $300,000 bond at the Union County Detention Center. Carver is currently serving state parole/probation.

• Brandon Boone faces charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (synthetic marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug premises. He is being held on $300,000 bond at the Union County Detention Center. Boone is currently serving on state parole/probation.

• Syroid Palmer faces charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (synthetic marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug premises. Palmer is being detained at the Union County Detention Center on $300,000 bond. Palmer is currently serving on state parole/probation.

• Jaterrance Hamilton faces charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (synthetic marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug premises. Hamilton is being detained at the Union County Detention Center on $300,000 bond. Hamilton is currently serving on state parole/probation.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

All 75 counties in Arkansas will be receiving training and other life-saving resources thanks to the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership.

Despite the rain and competing with college football games, Arkansans loyally answered the call to “Drop It In The Box” with nearly 27,000 pounds (13.46 tons) of medications collected from Saturday’s 24^th semi-annual Arkansas Drug Take Back Day.

“It’s a blessing that Arkansans are continuing to respond to this program,” said Arkansas Drug Director Boyce Hamlet. “The rain didn’t slow them down and it shows that Arkansans are dedicated to making their homes and communities safer. Their act of dropping off the medications at the 300 plus locations we had across the state on Saturday will in turn save numerous lives and it protects the environment.”

Kirk Lane, Director of Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership added, “Hat’s off to all the great partners and participants that make this possible every year. We have achieved another milestone is this invaluable program that helps so many protect their households and communities.”

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Jarad Harper, said according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 is drug poisoning. It causes more deaths than COVID-19, gun violence, suicide, or car accidents. 107,622 Americans died from taking drugs last year. ASAC Harper applauds the collective effort by all Arkansans. Harper said by taking these unwanted and unneeded medications out of the homes of Arkansans, countless lives are being saved in Arkansas and beyond.

Since the first Arkansas Drug Take Back Day on September 25, 2010, Arkansas has collected a total of 522,201 pounds (261.10 tons) of medications. All the medications collected have been transported by the Arkansas National Guard to a commercial facility where they are destroyed in an environmentally safe method.

The top 10 collection sites from the Arkansas Drug Take Back Day were:

1. Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office – 4,617 pounds
2. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office – 2,064 pounds
3. Washington County Sheriff’s Office – 1,055 pounds
4. Baxter County Sheriff’s Office – 1,000 pounds
5. Jonesboro Police Department – 808 pounds
6. Benton County Sheriff’s Office – 800 pounds
7. Benton Police Department – 780 pounds
8. Bi-State Drug Task Force (Miller County) – 776 pounds
9. Grant County Sheriff’s Office – 705 pounds
10. Bella Vista Police Department – 649 pounds

Prescription medicines are toxic waste and pose a danger to people, pets, and the environment. Dispose of expired & unneeded medications in an environmentally save method by taking them to any of the 270 permanent drop box locations in Arkansas. To find a location, visit www.ardrugtakeback.org, click on the Collection Sites tab and enter a zip code.

Arkansas Drug Take Back Day History

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), as part of its National Drug Control Strategy, called for an increase of prescription drug return and disposal programs as a means to curbing prescription drug abuse. In early 2010, a coalition led by the State Drug Director, the Attorney General, both Arkansas Districts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and numerous federal, local, and state agencies, prevention professionals, and private organizations, launched an ongoing education program to encourage everyone to “Monitor, Secure, and Dispose” their prescription medications.

As part of the “Monitor, Secure, and Dispose” effort, the coalition organized Arkansas’s participation in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Take-Back Initiative and take back events took place on September 25, 2010; April 30, 2011; October 29, 2011; April 28, 2012; September 29, 2012; April 27, 2013; October 26, 2013; April 26, 2014; and September 27, 2014.   DEA announced the discontinuation of the national initiative in September 2014, but an Arkansas take back event under the leadership of partners within the state was held on April 25, 2015. The DEA then reinstated the program nationally on September 26, 2015 and has participated semi-annually since 2016 with Drug Take Back Day events held bi-annually in April and October.

Due to the commitment, dedication, and effort of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Community, its partners, and the multi-agency coalition, and due to excellent participation by Arkansans in all areas of the state, the take back events have been successful above and beyond all expectations. All medications collected are destroyed at environmentally safe facilities across the United States. Prescription medicines are a toxic waste and pose a danger to people, pets, and the environment if they are not disposed of properly. Medicines flushed or poured down the drain end up in the waterways, affecting our drinking water.

Provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate an estimated 93,331 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2020, an increase of 29.4% from the 72,151 deaths predicted in 2019. In Arkansas, 618 people died from a drug overdose death in 2021.

Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership Announces Funding Opportunities for Abatement Programs

Funds received from settlement agreements and bankruptcies in opioid litigation will reduce overdose deaths through prevention, treatment, enforcement and recovery programs in local Arkansas communities

During a press conference on Friday, representatives from the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) announced available funding for Arkansas organizations and programs addressing opioid misuse and addiction. The Partnership, formed by the Association of Arkansas Counties and the Arkansas Municipal League, oversees the strategic disbursement of opioid settlement dollars at the city and county levels. Interested applicants are invited to visit arorp.org to learn more about funding and submission guidelines.

Partnership Director Kirk Lane, who previously held the position of Arkansas State Drug Director, said during the conference “This partnership represents wrongs made right, a significant step to abate the loss families and individuals have experienced due to opioid misuse and addiction. Every dollar received by Arkansas cities and counties will be dedicated to targeted, evidence-based solutions on a local level.”

Lane also announced the appointment of Tenesha Barnes as assistant director of the Partnership who will focus on policy development and strategic planning to ensure effective service delivery and outcomes for the new initiative.

Together, Barnes and Lane shared what applicants should expect during the application process. Once applications for funding are submitted via the Partnership’s website, they will be reviewed by an appointed advisory board to make recommendations about which programs and strategies should be funded in a manner consistent with approved purposes, settlement agreements, and court orders.

Advisory board members who were recently chosen by directors of the Partnership, Association of Arkansas Counties and the Arkansas Municipal League include:

● Cindy Smith – Strong-Huttig School Board President
● Sheriff Tim Helder – Sheriff, Washington County
● Dr. Virginia Stanick – Retired Project Director, The State Opioid Response Project
● Colin Jorgensen – Litigation Attorney, Association of Arkansas Counties
● John Wilkerson – General Counsel, Arkansas Municipal League
● Mayor James Sanders – Mayor, Blytheville
● Gloria Gordon – Grant Writer, Researcher
● Chief Danny Bradley – Retired Police Chief, North Little Rock Police Department
● Jerry Jones – Chief Legal and Ethics Officer and Executive Vice President, LiveRamp
● Dr. Johnathan Goree – Chair of the Opioid Stewardship Committee, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
● Tom Barron – Attorney, Bear State Law
● Judge Danny Ormand – County Judge, Lafayette County

Funding opportunities through ARORP are ongoing, and therefore do not have submission deadlines, and should support public and private evidence-based projects. For more information about programs the Partnership will support, please read the funding guidelines at arorp.org.

About the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership
The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP), an initiative of the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties, represents an unprecedented, united front between the representatives of local government to abate the loss of life caused by the opioid epidemic in Arkansas communities. The Partnership oversees the strategic disbursement of opioid settlement dollars at the city and county levels and works to reduce overdose deaths through prevention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery. ARORP’s message is simple: be bold, stand together and commit to abating opioid misuse and addiction in Arkansas. To learn more and submit a request for funding, visit arorp.org.

An officer who saved the life of a middle school student in Hope was recognized by Arkansas Drug Director Boyce Hamlet this week.

“Relying on instincts and proper training, a child’s life was saved by the quick actions of this law enforcement officer,” Hamlet said. “It’s not something you want to hear about, that naloxone had to be used inside a school, especially on a young student, but we are grateful officers across the state are being properly equipped and trained to handle this situation. We also commend the school nursing staff and administration for quickly contacting 911.”

Just after 11 a.m. on April 6, 2022, Hope Police Officer Matthew Whitney was alerted by dispatch that a student at Yerger Middle School had ingested an unknown drug and was unresponsive. Upon arrival, Whitney observed the student was breathing but unresponsive and attempted to wake the student with a sternum rub and verbal stimuli with no response. The officer was not able to view the student’s pupils, as they were “rolled to the back of her head” and “showing signs of a possible opioid overdose.”

Reportedly after administering naloxone (commonly referred by the brand name Narcan) nasal spray, the student became alert and able to answer questions. When the officer asked what the student ingested, she responded that it looked like “a Smartie candy but it had purple dots and some sort of circle imprinted in the center” and that she got it from another student. First responders from Pafford EMS then arrived and continued to treat the student.

The report said while speaking with EMS, the officer was notified by school staff that multiple students claimed to have ingested similar pills. Reportedly, while speaking to the students, another student complained of losing vision and EMS provided treatment and later took both students to Wadley Regional Medical Center, and the students parents were contacted. Parents of the students that stated they ingested similar pills were also contacted and released to their care, the report said.

The report said a teacher informed the officers that a student turned in a pill and handed the officers the pill which was wrapped in a napkin and plastic glove. A white pill with purple dots and a handicap symbol imprinted in the center was observed, the report said. A urine sample from four students tested positive for methamphetamine and two other samples were not available at the time of the completion of the police report.

The report said one person was taken into custody, taken to the Hempstead County Detention Center and charged with possession of a controlled substance (the identity was not released due to the age of the suspect).

“Nobody in communities across the state wants to think about incidents like what happened in this middle school, but we all have to be prepared for that possibility,” Hamlet said. “We are thankful to the Criminal Justice Institute in Little Rock for the partnership that allows us to provide first responders, including school nurses, across the state a multitude of naloxone kits and training. As the state drug director, our goal is to prepare all Arkansas communities and to change and save lives.”

Between October 2021 and September 2022, the Criminal Justice Institute and Arkansas Drug Director partnership has trained 2,238 first responders, treatment center staffs and citizens, and distributed 3,013 naloxone kits in the state. For more information about naloxone training, contact the Criminal Justice Institute at www.cji.edu or call 501-570-8051. Information about drug trends, narcotic arrests, overdose deaths, naloxone saves and more can be found at https://ardrugtakeback.org/the-arkansas-opioid-dashboard/ and click on the individual counties on the state map.