FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major John Bean

Office: (870) 541-5351 / Cell (870) 329-5638

Email: john.bean@jeffcoso.org

SHERIFF'S OFFICE DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY COLLECTION RESULTS:  Jefferson County, Arkansas - April 28, 2025 - On this past Saturday the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office along with the Tri-County Drug Task Force participated in the 28th Drug Take-Back Day.  The event was part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take-Back Initiative that is a national effort to safely collect and dispose of unwanted, unused, and/or expired prescription drugs.  The event was held at Super 1 Foods at 2800 S. Hazel in Pine Bluff.  Citizens from in and around Jefferson County turned in 273.5 pounds of prescription pills hopefully eliminating the potential of drug abuse, misuse, addiction, theft, or overdose within their homes.

During the last National Drug Take-Back, which marked the 27th National Take Back Day held on October 26, 2024, a total of 4425 law enforcement agencies, participating at 4,644 collection sites were responsible for the collection of 629,953 pounds (314 Tons) of prescription medications that were ultimately destroyed.  Since the inception of the National Drug Take-Back Initiative 15 years ago, a total of 19,200,440 pounds (9,600 Tons) of drugs have been collected and destroyed.

"The drug overdose epidemic is a clear and present public health and public safety issue. Our partnership with the DEA as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects the commitment of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to the health and safety of citizens, while encouraging the public remove unneeded, unwanted, and expired prescription medications from their homes in order to prevent medication misuse," said Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. "The Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative addresses an on-going public safety and public health issue."

There are a variety of scheduled prescription drugs that are of major concern due to the level of abuse and addiction.

"Prescription drugs such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (OxyCotin), and Fentanyl (Duragesic) just to name a few are among the most commonly found in home medicine cabinets, "Woods said. "These drugs are also among the highest that are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. A great number of people in our community have been directed or indirectly affected by prescription drug abuse and misuse, and this event allows local residents to be part of the solution. Disposing of unused or unwanted medications in a safe and secure environment is a critical step in fighting this devastating public safety health problem."

If you missed the Drug Take-Back Day event...no worries!  We have secure daily collection bins available at the following locations: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (410 East 2nd Ave, Pine Bluff, AR), Doctor's Orders Pharmacies (2302 West 28th Ave, Pine Bluff, AR), Doctor's Orders Pharmacies (7240 Sheridan Road, White Hall, AR), and Doctor's Orders Pharmacy (500 South Lincoln Ave, Star City, AR, 71667).

Tri-County Drug Task Force Commander - Captain Yohance Brunson remarked on the event by saying, "The event was a huge success as a result of great teamwork and great partnerships.  Collaboration with Super 1 Foods, the Arkansas Community Corrections, Exodus Life, Community Empowerment Council, the Arkansas Drug Director's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the event successful.  Our community showed that despite CoVid-19 they came out to drop off their prescription drugs because they know just how important this is for our community".

For a complete listing of collection bin locations throughout your community or the state, which is continuously updated with new take-back site locations, please visit: https://ardrugtakeback.org/take-back/collection-sites/