LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 3, 2023) – Last Saturday, October 28, Arkansans braved rain and thunderstorms to “Drop it in the Box” by bringing 23,678 pounds (11.8 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs to over 275 Take Back boxes located around the state. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Arkansas National Guard ensured these medications were safely destroyed, keeping prescriptions out of the wrong hands and out of our water supply.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death for 18-45 year-olds is drug poisoning. The CDC estimates 110,757 Americans lost their lives to drug poisoning last year,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarad Harper. “There is a call to action in Arkansas to save lives and the DEA appreciates our state and local partners who help collect unwanted and unneeded prescription medications from the homes of Arkansans. We make the biggest impact working together, and with the ultimate goal of saving lives, we can make a difference in Arkansas and beyond.”

The Arkansas Drug Take Back was developed in 2010 to help Arkansas families secure, monitor, and dispose of their unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medications. The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP)’s www.ardrugtakeback.org provides additional educational resources and permanent Drug Take Back box locations.

“The Arkansas Drug Take Back has been a tremendous educational program,” said ARORP Director Kirk Lane. “Arkansans must monitor their homes, secure medications, and dispose of prescriptions that are no longer needed. Take Back provides an environmentally sound service to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications and dangerous substances. The 571,899 pounds of medication destroyed since the program’s start is a tribute to Arkansans, local, state and federal law enforcement , and long-time Arkansas Drug Take Back partners who continue to make this evidenced-based program successful in keeping our communities safer.”

“Despite the inclement weather, Arkansans showed up in staggering numbers,” said Arkansas Drug Director Tom Fisher. “Our law enforcement and communities across the state partnered to prevent unused or expired medications from falling into the hands of potential victims or situations for prescription misuse. Thank you to the DEA, ARORP, Arkansas National Guard, UA Little Rock Midsouth, and the Department of Human Services Substance Use Prevention team for their hard work and dedication in the mission to prevent overdoses across the state.”

The next Take Back Day will be held in the spring of 2024. In the meantime, do your part by bringing unneeded drugs to a permanent Take Back box site. Please see www.ardrugtakeback.org for more information.

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by Lori Dunn | October 27, 2023 at 11:00 p.m. | Link to article

The Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day is one way the agency attempts to keep prescription drugs out of the wrong hands.

Twice a year, in April and October, the agency designates specific days for people to go through their medicine cabinets and turn in any unused or expired medications they may have.

Since its inception in 2010, the bi-annual event has removed more than 17 million pounds of unnecessary medications from communities across the country, according to a news release from DEA.

In April of this year, Arkansas collected 26,042 pounds of drugs from 122 collection sites. In October, Arkansas collected 26,935 pounds from 148 collection sites, according to the DEA.

Texas collected 47,695 pounds from 225 collection sites in April and 46,668 pounds in October, according to the DEA.

by Little Rock Soirée Staff on October 24, 2023 | Link to original article

Do your part to safely dispose of prescriptions by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 28.

Held twice a year, the day is a chance to let the public properly dispose of their unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions while learning more about the opioid epidemic. In April, Arkansans brought in more than 26,000 pounds of medications, more than Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi combined, according to the DEA.

Not only does disposing of old prescriptions help keep medicines from getting into the wrong hands, but it also keeps toxic waste out of places it shouldn’t be. A recent study shows 80% of U.S. streams contain trace amounts of human medicines, which cannot be removed by sewage systems, meaning they will eventually be released into lakes, rivers and oceans.

According to the Arkansas Drug Take Back website, the safest way to get rid of medicines is by high-temperature incineration at properly permitted facilities.

So how can you help? The organization has mapped out permanent drug collection sites across the state. Click here to explore the map and find a year-round site near you, and check out these Oct. 28 events from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.:

• Remedy Drug Rx, 8511 W. Markham St.
• Park Plaza Mall, 6000 W. Markham St.
• Kroger, 14000 Cantrell Road
• The Pharmacy at Wellington, 15400 Chenal Pkwy., Ste. #100
• Edwards Food Giant, 20383 Arch St.
• Walmart, 8801 Baseline Road
• McCain Mall, 3929 McCain Blvd., North Little Rock

For more info, head to the Arkansas Drug Take Back website or check it out on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.