Arkansans dispose of 23,307 pounds of unused and expired medication on Arkansas Drug Take Back Day
Contact: Olivia Hicks | 501-353-8259 | ohicks@mhp.si
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 1, 2024) – On Saturday, Oct. 26, Arkansans participated in Arkansas Drug Take Back Day, dropping off 23,307 pounds of unwanted and expired prescription medication at Take Back boxes located around the state.
“It’s always amazing to see how much medications are collected on Arkansas Drug Take Back Day,” said Kirk Lane, director for the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership. “It demonstrates Arkansans’ commitment to educating themselves about the opioid crisis and combating it from the ground up. I’d like to extend my thanks to all those who participated.”
The Arkansas Drug Take Back program helps to reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse, accidental poisoning and environmental harm. Removing unused or expired medications from homes is a proactive step in combating the opioid epidemic.
“The support we’ve seen from Arkansans this year reflects our communities’ commitment to fighting the opioid crisis and promoting public health and safety,” said Tom Fisher, Arkansas State Drug Director. “This battle against prescription drug misuse in Arkansas is a matter of saving lives, preserving the well-being of families and helping reverse the tide of a growing issue.”
Arkansas Take Back was launched in 2010 to help Arkansas families secure, monitor and dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications. To date, Arkansas has safely destroyed 314,731 tons of these medications.
“I was impressed by the efforts this weekend from local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as Arkansas communities and partnerships, to dispose of these medications,” said Jarad Harper, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration. “All those who participated are working to create real change in our state, and it’s exciting to be a part of.”
Arkansans can locate one of the more than 300 collection sites across the state through the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership’s ReviveAR app, which is available for download on App Store and Google Play Store. The next National Take Back Day will be held in spring 2025. Visit ARTakeBack.org or download ReviveAR for more information.
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.
