Arkansans Monitor, Secure, and Dispose of 26,020 Pounds of Medications on Drug Take Back Day
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Apr. 28, 2023) – Last Saturday, April 22, Arkansans collectively answered the call to “Drop it in the Box” by bringing 26,020 pounds (13.01 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs to over 275 take back boxes located around the state. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Arkansas National Guard ensured these medications were safely destroyed, keeping Arkansas’s water supply free of dangerous medications.
“Thank you to all our partners who participated in the 25th semi-annual National Drug Takeback Day,” says Arkansas State Drug Director Tom Fisher. “Once again, it was another huge success with more than 13 tons of medication collected. The continued success of this program is a testament to our community and law enforcement partnership, furthering the message of education and prevention for prescription abuse and misuse.”
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. To date, Arkansas has safely destroyed over 548,221 pounds of these turned over medications.
“Most young adults who misuse prescription drugs get them from the home of a friend or a family member,” says Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) Director Kirk Lane. “Practicing the concept of secure, monitor, and safely dispose keeps our families and communities safe. The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership is proud to host www.artakeback.org in this continued effort.”
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarad Harper commends the collective effort of law enforcement and prevention professionals working together to take these unwanted and unneeded medications out of the homes of Arkansans, no doubt resulting in countless lives being saved in Arkansas and beyond. “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,” says Harper, “107,622 Americans died from taking drugs last year.”
Do your part to keep your community safe. If you were not able to make the Spring Take Back date, know that Arkansas has over 275 take back box sites which are available every day. The next National Take Back Day will be held in the fall of 2023. Please see www.artakeback.org or download the NARCANSAS App for more information.
