Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued a consumer alert to encourage Arkansans to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring any unused or expired medications to one of the more than 100 Prescription Drug Take Back Day drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
“Prescription Drug Take Back Day allows Arkansans to drop off any unwanted medications, no questions asked, for proper disposal,” Rutledge said in a news release. “It can be dangerous to keep unused prescription medications. These pills need to be properly disposed of to avoid them falling into the wrong hands and harming loved ones or the environment. I encourage all Arkansans to clean out their medicine cabinets and participate in the take back day.”
“Properly destroying these medications protects the environment. Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting waters, which could contaminate food and water supplies. Many medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems. Turning over these medications at Take Back Day events also reduces the risk of accidental poisonings by children, seniors or pets, as well as reduces the risk of drug abuse,” she said.
Rutledge is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Rotary Clubs, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, Office of the State Drug Director, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 130 additional law enforcement and government agencies, community organizations and public health providers who comprise the Arkansas Prescription Drug Coalition planning the annual Prescription Drug Abuse Summit scheduled Thursday, Nov. 3, in Little Rock.
The Attorney General’s office also hosts take back events at mobile offices around the state. To find event sites and year-round drop-off locations in the community, go to ARTakeBack.org
Details: Attorney General’s office, 800-482-8982 or consumer@ArkansasAG.gov or ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.