LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Apr. 28, 2023) – Last Saturday, April 22, Arkansans collectively answered
the call to “Drop it in the Box” by bringing 26,020 pounds (13.01 tons) of unwanted prescription
drugs to over 275 take back boxes located around the state. The Drug Enforcement
Administration and the Arkansas National Guard ensured these medications were safely
destroyed, keeping Arkansas’s water supply free of dangerous medications.

“Thank you to all our partners who participated in the 25th semi-annual National Drug Takeback
Day,” says Arkansas State Drug Director Tom Fisher. “Once again, it was another huge success
with more than 13 tons of medication collected. The continued success of this program is a
testament to our community and law enforcement partnership, furthering the message of
education and prevention for prescription abuse and misuse.”

The Arkansas Drug Take Back was developed in 2010 to help Arkansas families secure, monitor,
and dispose of their unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medications. To date, Arkansas
has safely destroyed over 548,221 pounds of these turned over medications.
“Most young adults who misuse prescription drugs get them from the home of a friend or a family
member,” says Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) Director Kirk Lane. “Practicing
the concept of secure, monitor, and safely dispose keeps our families and communities safe. The
Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership is proud to host www.artakeback.org in this continued
effort.”

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarad Harper commends the collective effort of law
enforcement and prevention professionals working together to take these unwanted and
unneeded medications out of the homes of Arkansans, no doubt resulting in countless lives
being saved in Arkansas and beyond. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, a leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 is drug poisoning. It causes more
deaths than COVID-19, gun violence, suicide, or car accidents,” says Harper, “107,622
Americans died from taking drugs last year.”

Do your part to keep your community safe. If you were not able to make the Spring Take Back
date, know that Arkansas has over 275 take back box sites which are available every day. The
next National Take Back Day will be held in the fall of 2023. Please see www.artakeback.org or
download the NARCANSAS App for more information.