Turn in Expired Drugs September 26

The Texarkana drug take-back day is coming up later this month and law enforcement officials hope everyone is preparing to take part by ridding their medicine cabinets and cupboards of unused and expired prescription drugs.

On September 26, from 10AM to 2PM the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Texarkana, Ark., School District, will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for the 10^th annual "Drug Take Back Day."

The police are asking the public to bring medications for disposal to the Texarkana Ark., School District Administration Office located at 3435 Jefferson Ave in Texarkana Ark.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

According to the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department, it has also received several reports of individuals using K2, synthetic marijuana, which is highly dangerous. One-time use can cause devastating medical issues, including death. So anyone with K2, or even suspected K2, is strongly encouraged to turn it in during this event.

Contact the police at 903-798-3187 for more details.