LITTLE ROCK – The second of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2024 is on Saturday, Oct. 26. Use these dos and don’ts to help you prepare to participate in local, statewide and national take back events.
Do your part to help reduce drug abuse.
According to the U.S. DEA, prescription drug and opioid addiction is a growing problem across the country. Removing unused medicines from your home and returning them at a collection site can help prevent this problem. Prescription drug abuse can cause medical emergencies and deadly overdoses, so it’s critical to limit the access your loved ones have to these medications.
Don’t let a poisoning accident happen.
Poisonings from prescription and over-the-counter medicines are on the rise, making it essential to dispose of them properly. Leaving unused prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines unattended in the home can endanger children, senior citizens and pets. Be sure to find a drug take back site to dispose of them properly and prevent any accidental poisonings.
Do take the opportunity to protect the environment.
Studies have found that medicines flushed down the drain can contaminate lakes and streams, which can hurt fish and other wildlife and also end up in our drinking water. Getting rid of unused medications at a drug take back site is the only way to safely dispose of them and ensure that there’s no negative impact on the environment.
Don’t take back unapproved items.
This may seem simple, but it’s important to only return unused items that are approved by the U.S. DEA. Prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, pet medicines, medicated ointments or lotions and medicine samples are just a few examples of items that are safe to return. Items you should not take to a collection site include needles or syringes, thermometers, aerosol cans, empty containers, infectious or business waste and other non-medicine-related items.
Prescription drug take back sites vary by state, so visit dea.gov/takebackday to find collection sites in Arkansas and view more resources for safely getting rid of unused prescriptions and other medicines. More information about drug take back events in Arkansas can be found at artakeback.org.
