Law-enforcement agencies around the state will hold special collection events Saturday for those who want to clear their medicine cabinets of unwanted prescription drugs.
On National Drug Take-Back Day, authorities will open temporary drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide an "ecologically sound" way to dispose of leftover medicines while keeping them "out of the hands of potential abusers," the Pulaski County sheriff's office said in a statement.
Authorities say Arkansas consistently ranks among the nation's top in prescription-drug abuse among teens, and these drop-off events are a way to prevent pill abuse and theft.
The collections also help the environment because drugs are then incinerated instead of flushed into the sewer system and water supply, authorities say.
"The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked," Jacksonville Police Department Sgt. Richard Betterton noted in a statement.
In addition to a permanent 24-hour prescription drug drop-box at 2900 S. Woodrow St. in Little Rock, the Pulaski County sheriff's office will hold collections at the following sites:
- Baptist Health Medical Center, 9601 Interstate 630, Little Rock.
- Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock.
- Walgreens pharmacy locations at 111 N. Bowman Road, 14820 Cantrell Road and 15500 Chenal Parkway in Little Rock.
In addition, North Little Rock police will be at the Cornerstone Pharmacy locations at 2609 McCain Blvd. and 5328 J.F.K. Blvd. Jacksonville authorities will hold a collection at the Police Department, 1400 Marshall Road.
In Baxter County, authorities say, the public may drop off medicines at the sheriff's office Criminal Investigation Division, 206 W. Eighth St. in Mountain Home, or Saturday's temporary location at the Staples office-supply store, 34 Staples Drive, Mountain Home.
More information and a comprehensive list of collection sites can be found at http://www.artakeback.org/.