Arkansans exceeded expectations on Arkansas Drug Take Back Day; over 28,700 pounds of medication safely disposed

During the DEA National Drug Take Back event on April 26, more than 28,700 pounds of unused or expired prescription medication was collected.

ARORP Press Release

Arkansans safely disposed of 28,764 pounds of unused or expired prescription medication for Arkansas Take Back Day during the DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 26, a 5,457-pound increase from fall 2024. “There’s nothing like seeing people come out in waves on a weekend to keep medication from getting in the wrong hands or into our water supply,” said Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership. “The Arkansas Drug Take Back has been successful due to great community partnerships and especially the hard work of the Arkansas National Guard Counter Drug Mission, which makes it possible for the disposal of all these medications.

The Arkansas Drug Take Back program launched in 2010 to help Arkansas families secure, monitor, and dispose of their unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medications. There are now more than 300 permanent drop boxes across Arkansas, which have allowed for the safe destruction of over 329 tons of medications to date. (See www.ardrugtakeback.org for more information.)

“These events and collection sites are critical to our state and mission in drug reduction. Congratulations to our local law enforcement partners, as well as the dedication of the Arkansas State Police for making this possible,” said Thomas Fisher, Arkansas Drug Director. “We’re seeing the tides turn on opioid misuse in our communities, and it’s more important than ever to keep showing up in places it matters most.”

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