The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, together with the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the Texarkana Arkansas School District will be collecting expired and unwanted prescription medications for safe disposal on Saturday, October 28, 2017.
TAPD Press Release:
On Saturday, October 28th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, Miller County Sherriff Officer, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Texarkana Arkansas School District, will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for the 12th annual Drug Take Back Day. Bring your medications for disposal to the Texarkana Arkansas School District Administration Office located at 3435 Jefferson Ave in Texarkana Arkansas. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Currently, in Texarkana, we have received several reports of individuals using K2, synthetic marijuana, which is highly dangerous. One time use can cause devastating medical issues, including death. Anyone with K2, or even suspected K2, is strongly encouraged to turn it in during this event.
Items Accepted for the Program;
- Prescriptions
- Liquid medications (in leak-proof containers)
- Medicated ointment, lotions, or drops
- Pills in any packaging (glass bottles, plastic containers, plastic bags, etc.)
- Over-the-counter medications Liquid medications (in leak-proof containers)
- Pet medications
Items Not Accepted in the Program;
- Sharps/needles
- Illegal drugs & narcotics (though police will accept these items if placed in the container)
- Thermometers
- IV bags
- Bloody of infectious waste
- Personal care products (shampoo, lotions, etc.)
