FAYETTEVILLE -- City residents gave police 217 pounds of unused or expired over-the-counter and prescription medications during the statewide Prescription Take Back event Sept. 26, according to a news release.
The Fayetteville Police Department partnered with Project Right Choice of Northwest Arkansas to have the event.
The group is a nonprofit, community-based organization "designed to reduce underage drinking and the use of meth and other illicit drugs," according to the group's website.
Fayetteville's event was part of the statewide event that coincided with the national event.
About 4.8 million pounds of drugs were collected at the events nationwide from 2010 through 2014, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Centerton, West Fork, Siloam Springs and Tontitown participated in this year's event.
West Fork police collected 65 pounds of unwanted drugs, officer John Nelson said in a message Friday. Siloam Springs collected roughly 40 pounds, said Holland Hayden, city spokeswoman. Nearly 3 pounds were turned in at Tontitown, Joey McCormick, interim police chief, wrote in an email.
Centerton police departments didn't return a message left Friday.
Some agencies, including the Springdale, Siloam Springs and Bella Vista police departments and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, have permanent drug drop boxes, spokesmen said.
Washington County collected 1,578 pounds of unwanted drugs since it's last one day event April 26, Kelly Cantrell, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said in a message Friday.
The events give residents a chance to turn in medications and illegal drugs with no questions asked, Fayetteville police spokesman Lt. Craig Stout said. Police safely dispose of the drugs, which otherwise could end up in drinking water or lakes and rivers, he said.
The program also prevents medication theft, drug abuse and accidental poisoning, officials said.
NW News on 10/03/2015