CONWAY—In recognition of National Prescription Take Back Day, the University of Central Arkansas Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration have partnered to hold a Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Expired, unused, excess, or unwanted prescription drugs can be dropped off at the UCAPD, located at the corner of W. J. Sowder and Marion Ross Avenue on the UCA campus. The service is free and anonymous.
“The National Prescription Take Back Day offers us the opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of allowing unwanted prescription drugs to languish in homes or residence halls,” says Arch Jones Jr., director of Community Services for UCAPD.
UCAPD partnered with the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Program, and the Arkansas law enforcement community to establish a permanent MedReturn drug collection program in March.
“We are particularly excited about the success of our permanent drop box. The National Prescription Take Back Day reminds the campus community that they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at their convenience, so they will continue to use the free and anonymous service, as well as help to spread the word to other community members,” says UCA Police Chief Larry James.
While UCAPD participates in the National Prescription Take Back Day in fall and spring of each year, the permanent location allows the disposal of unwanted prescription drugs 24 hours a day in a safe and convenient location.
According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than six million Americans abuse prescription 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.
“The potential for the misuse of prescription drugs becomes significant when excess, unwanted, or unused medications are not disposed of. Having the permanent drop box on campus and continuing to participate in the national take back events is another example of all of us working together to keep UCA safe,” Jones says.
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