On Saturday, October 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, comprised of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and the Miller County Sherriff Office, 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 10th annual Drug Take Back Day.
TAPD asks the public to bring 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.
According to TAPD, currently in Texarkana multiple several reports have been recieved 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.
