FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Gary McClain

Office:  870.541.5351 / Cell: 870.329.5638

Email:  gary.mcclain@jeffcoso.org

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JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SET TO PARTICIPATE IN ARKANSAS DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY:  Jefferson County, Arkansas - October 18, 2021 - The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.  According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019.  The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Tri-County Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, three agencies dedicated to fighting the abuse and misuse of prescription medications, invite area residents to come out and safely dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired medicines.  Also partnering in this initiative are the Arkansas Drug Director's Office, Arkansas Community Corrections, and the Community Empowerment Council, Inc. which is a registered substance abuse prevention provider in the State of Arkansas for Region 12.

As part of the Arkansas Drug Take-Back Day we are giving the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of remaining potentially dangerous prescription drugs that have gone unused, have expired, and/or are unwanted.  "Due to the commitment, dedication, and efforts of the law enforcement community and its partners as well as the participation by the citizens these take back events continue to be successful above and beyond our expectations.  Proper disposal is safer than just flushing or throwing in the trash.  Proper disposal keeps these drugs from getting into the wrong hands.", said Tri-County Drug Task Force Commander Captain Yohance Brunson".

We invite you to bring your medications for safe disposal to the following collection site:

• Where: Parking Lot of Super 1 Foods located at 2800 South Hazel Street in Pine Bluff, AR
• When: Saturday, October 23, 2021 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

We cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.  We will accept only pills, capsules, or patches.

This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Due to COVID-19, we are asking everyone to please take the appropriate safety precautions and stay in your vehicle as you drive up.  A Deputy or volunteer will retrieve the medications from you.

"The Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative is a great way for law enforcement and our community to come together in a partnership to address an ongoing public safety and public health issue", said Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr.  "It is common to find prescription drugs such as Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (OxyContin), and Fentanyl (Duragesic), just to name a few, in home medicine cabinets.  These drugs may have simply been left over from a medical procedure and have gone unused and forgotten about.  Unfortunately, these drugs are also among the highest that are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.  Too many people in our community have been directly or indirectly affected by prescription drug abuse and misuse and this event allows local residents to actively be a part of the solution.  Properly disposing of unused or unwanted medications in a safe and secure environment is a critical step in fighting this devastating public safety and public health problem.  Medicines that remain in a person's home can be very harmful or even fatal to children if they are not monitored and properly secured or disposed of.  Proper disposal such as through the Take-Back Initiative also prevents environmental hazards by not allowing these harmful substances to enter our water supply and landfills."

In addition to the Drug Take Back Day the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has permanent drop boxes that are available throughout the year.  They are located at our administrative offices at 410 E. 2nd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR as well as at Doctor's Orders Pharmacy at 2302 West 28th, Pine Bluff, AR and at 7240 Sheridan Road, White Hall, AR.  More information and resources can also be found by visiting www.artakeback.org