Courtesy of Pixabay
It’s almost time for the 14th annual Drug Take Back Day in Texarkana.
That’s according to a news release from the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department:
On Saturday, October 26th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, Miller County Sherriff Officer, Miller County Prosecutor Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Texarkana Emergency Center, 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.
It’s the 14th annual Drug Take Back Day. Bring your medications for disposal to the Texarkana Emergency Center. 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.
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
• 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)
Keep up to date with what’s going on with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department on their facebook page.