Texarkana law enforcement's Drug Take Back Day is April 27

This Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York. Abuse of painkillers, heroin, fentanyl and other opioids across the country has resulted in tens of thousands of children being taken from their homes and placed in the foster care system.
This Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York. Abuse of painkillers, heroin, fentanyl and other opioids across the country has resulted in tens of thousands of children being taken from their homes and placed in the foster care system.

The public will have a chance to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on April 27 for Drug Take Back Day.

The event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m and is coordinated by the Texarkana Ark. Police Department, Miller County Sheriff s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Miller County Prosecutor's Office.

Medication can be disposed of at any of the three drop-off box locations: Bi-State Justice building, 100 North State Line Avenue; Miller County Sheriff's Office, 2300 East Street; and 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 the DEA, law-enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas host Drug Take Back events at various locations in an effort to not only 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, said Sgt. Kristi Bennett, spokeswoman for TAPD.

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It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications and over the counter drugs from the homes of our citizens.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 does not matter 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," Bennett said.

Police ask that no one deposit needles.

Forty-two percent of teenagers who have abused or misused a prescription drug obtained them from their parent's medicine cabinet, and 64 percent of the youth between 12 to 17 years old 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 that 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.

 

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:

- Blood sugar equipment

- Sharps/needles

- Illegal drugs and 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)

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