Unused Rx drugs, food donations collected Saturday

Law-enforcement agencies around the state will be collecting unused prescription drugs — as well as food-pantry donations — at temporary drop-off stations April 26.

During the National Drug Take-Back Day event, authorities will collect potentially dangerous expired and unused medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will later dispose of them by incineration. The drop-off events are a way to prevent pill and abuse and theft, and to avoid the health and safety hazards posed by flushing drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, authorities say.

The service is free and anonymous, the Pulaski County sheriff's office said.

In addition to collecting unwanted medications, authorities will also be taking up donations of nonperishable foods. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance says its most-needed items include canned meats, fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables; packaged meals; peanut butter; cereals; soups; 100 percent fruit juices; pastas and pasta sauces; and diapers. Officials ask that no donations come in glass packaging.

In addition to the sheriff's office 24-hour drug dropbox at 2900 S. Willow St., deputies and the Drug Enforcement Administration will accept pills and patches at the following locations:

• Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock.

• Baptist Health Medical Center, 9601 Interstate 630, Little Rock.

• Cornerstone Pharmacy, 1 Stagecoach Village, Suite 8, Little Rock.

• Remedy Drug, 8511 W. Markham St., Little Rock.

• Walgreens pharmacy locations at 14820 Cantrell Road and 15500 Chenal Parkway.

In addition, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Public Safety will collect prescription drugs at the UALR police location in the in the UALR Plaza, 2801 S. University Ave., Suite 700, the university said. More information about the UALR collection station is available by calling (501) 569-8797.

In Benton, drop-off locations will be the Ferguson's Furniture parking lot, 1200 Ferguson Drive, and the Exceptional Physical Therapy parking lot, 1102 W. South St., the Benton Police Department said.

More information about drug collection sites in Arkansas is available at www.artakeback.org/

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