LITTLE ROCK — Authorities in Arkansas collected more than 3.5 tons of prescription drugs during a nationwide drug take-back event last month.
Results from the National Prescription Take Back Initiative were released at a news conference Thursday morning at the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, where a permanent prescription drug collection dropbox is available. State Drug Director Fran Flener said the 7,423 pounds of drugs collected in Arkansas comprised an estimated 10.3 million pills.
The take-back event, which is held roughly every 6 months, is aimed at getting unused prescription drugs out of the hands of possible abusers and away from community water systems.
Pulaski County collected 277 pounds of prescription drugs while the city of Benton led the state with more than 500 pounds collected.
Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane said it was the result of alliances with city groups and an ongoing awareness campaign about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
"It means that we're educating our community on the right thing to do about how to keep the community safe, how to keep their homes safe and how it affects their loved ones and their neighbors," he said of the force's effort.
Nationally, there were more than 5,100 collection sites set up during the April 30 event. The U.S. total hasn't been fully tabulated, but officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration say it is expected to exceed the 121 tons collected during the prior takeback day 6 months ago.