On Oct. 25, the Jefferson County sheriff’s office along with the Tri-County Drug Task Force, Pine Bluff Police Department and White Hall Police Department participated in the 29th National Drug Take Back Day.
Aiming to reduce the potential of drug abuse, misuse, addiction, theft or overdose within their homes, citizens within Pine Bluff and White Hall turned in a combined 680 pounds of prescription pills collected at three separate collections sites, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Totals were: Jefferson County sheriff’s office (520 pounds) collected White Hall Police Department (157 pounds) collected and Pine Bluff Police Department (3 pounds) collected, according to the release.
The event was part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Take Back Initiative that is a national effort to safely collect and dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs.
During the last National Drug Take Back, which marked the 28th event on April 26, a total of 4,472 law enforcement agencies participating at 4,590 collection sites throughout the U.S. were responsible for the collection of 620,321 pounds (310 tons) of prescription medications that were ultimately destroyed. Since the inception of the National Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010, a total of 19,820,761 pounds (9,910 tons) of drugs have been collected and destroyed.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“The drug overdose epidemic is a clear and present public health and public safety issue,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. “Our partnership with the DEA as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects the commitment of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to the health and safety of citizens, while encouraging the public to remove unneeded, unwanted, and expired prescription medications from their homes in order to prevent medication misuse. The Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative addresses an on-going public safety and public health issue.”
There are a variety of scheduled prescription drugs that are of major concern due to the level of abuse and addiction.
“Prescription drugs such as hydrocodone (vicodin), oxycodone (oxycotin), and fentanyl (duragesic) just to name a few are among the most commonly found in home medicine cabinets,” Woods said. “These drugs are also among the highest that are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. A great number of people in our community have been directly or indirectly affected by prescription drug abuse and misuse, and this event allows local residents to be part of the solution. Disposing of unused or unwanted medications in a safe and secure environment is a critical step in fighting this devastating public safety health problem.”
If you missed the Drug Take Back Day event, there are secure daily collection bins available at the following locations: Jefferson County sheriff’s office (410 E. Second Ave.), Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy, 2302 W. 28th Ave., Pine Bluff; Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy, 7240 Sheridan Road, White Hall and Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy, 500 S. Lincoln Ave., Star City.
Capt. Yohance Brunson, Tri-County Drug Task Force commander, remarked on the event.
“The event was a huge success as a result of great teamwork and great partnerships,” Brunson said. “Collaboration with Super 1 Foods, Arkansas Office of the Drug Director, Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Joint Task Force Arkansas Counterdrug, Arkansas Sheriff’s Association, and Arkansas State Police made the event successful.”
For a complete list of collection bin locations, visit https://ardrugtakeback.org/Take Back/collection-sites/.