On Saturday, April 27th , 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 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and/or outdated medications and over the counter drugs from the homes of our citizens.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 medications
Items 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)
For more information, contact:
Sergeant Kristi Bennett
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-824-4199 (cell)
903-798-3023 (fax)
Kbennett@txkusa.org
