The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, along with the Miller County Sheriff Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Miller County Prosecutor’s Office will be giving the public another opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for April Drug Take Back Day on April 28.
Press Release:
On Saturday, April 28th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, Miller County Sherriff Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Miller County Prosecutor’s Office 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 April Drug Take Back Day.
Bring your medications for disposal to any of our three drop off box locations; Bi-State Justice building (100 North State Line Avenue), Miller County Sherriff Office (2300 East Street), Texarkana Emergency Center (4646 Cowhorn Creek)
Twice a year (through partnerships with local businesses such as Texarkana Emergency Center, Rotary Clubs, Prevention Resource Centers, the Department of Health and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency) law-enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas host Drug-Take-Back events (a.k.a. Operation Medicine Cabinet) at various locations in an effort to not only to get the public to dispose of unused or expired medications, but to educate as many people as possible about the dangers prescription medications can pose. With many law enforcement agencies, and other facilities, having 24-hour secure drop boxes, some collection sites are always available.
It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications and over the counter drugs from the homes of our citizens. It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it was prescribed, or where you reside. We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas. We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you desire but it’s not necessary. We ask that you do not deposit needles or “sharps”.
Why participate in this proactive effort to remove unused prescription medications from your home? 42% – that is the percent of teenagers who have abused or misused a prescription drug obtained them from their parent’s medicine cabinet, and 64 percent of teenagers (age 12-17) that have abused prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. About two-thirds of all prescription drugs (which also include stimulants such as Adderall and depressants like Ativan) illegally obtained are taken from people’s homes and not pharmacies or off the street.
Another reason to participate is because leftover medicine is toxic waste. It poses a danger to people, pets, and the environment if it’s not disposed of properly. If flushed or thrown away it can get into the waterways, affecting our drinking water. Just as we don’t put used motor oil or leftover paint thinner in the trash, we should not put toxic leftover medicines in the garbage. Unwanted medicines should be disposed of properly like other household hazardous waste.
According to Artakeback.org, Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the U.S., surpassing vehicle fatality accidents by nearly 18,000 deaths! With your assistance – WE are going to change this statistic!
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 medicationsItems Not Accepted in the Program;
• Blood sugar equipment
• Sharps/needles
• Illegal drugs & narcotics (although police will accept these items if placed in the container)
• Thermometers
• IV bags
• Bloody or infectious waste
• Personal care products (shampoo, lotions, etc)Contact Information
Officer Kristi Bennett
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-824-4199 (cell)
903-798-3023 (fax)
mailto:kmitchell@txkusa.org
