From the Arkansas Press Association News Distribution Service
The first of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2025 is on Saturday, April 26. Use these dos and don’ts to help you prepare to participate in local, statewide and national take-back events.
Do your part to help reduce drug abuse
DEA reports that prescription drug and opioid addiction is a growing problem across the U.S. Removing unused medicines from your home and returning them at a collection site can help prevent this problem. Prescription drug abuse can cause medical emergencies and deadly overdoses, so it is critical to limit access to these medications.
Don’t let a poisoning accident happen
Poisonings from prescription and over-the-counter medicines are on the rise, and it is essential to dispose of them properly.
Leaving unused prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines unattended in the home can endanger children, senior citizens and pets.
Be sure to find a drug take-back site and dispose of them properly to prevent any accidental poisonings.
Local take-back sites
There are two drug take-back collection boxes in Arkadelphia. One, accessible 24/7, is at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office jail entrance. The other is in the Arkadelphia Police Department lobby, accessible during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Do take the opportunity to protect the environment
According to recent studies, medicines that are not on the FDA’s flush list can contaminate lakes and streams, which is harmful for fish and other wildlife, and also end up in drinking water when flushed down the drain.
Many drug collection organizations incinerate unused medicines, so getting rid of these medications at a take-back site is the best way to dispose of them without negatively impacting the environment.
Don’t take back unapproved items
Make sure you only return unused items that are approved by DEA. Prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, pet medicines, medicated ointments or lotions and medicine samples are just a few examples of items that are safe to return at a collection site.
Items you should not take include needles or syringes, thermometers, aerosol cans, empty containers, infectious or business waste and other non-medicine-related items.
Take-back sites vary by state, so visit dea.gov/takebackday to find collection sites in Arkansas and view more resources for safely getting rid of unused prescriptions and other medicines. More information about drug take-back events in Arkansas can be found at artakeback.org.