Local Law Enforcement Get Hundreds of Pounds of Drugs Off the Street
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: April 30, 2011
Last year 121 tons of prescription drugs were collected on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and in Searcy, officials are doing their part to break that record.
Several pounds of old and unused medications were collected Saturday morning outside the Searcy Police Department..
Officials say Arkansas has a high rate of teens abusing prescription drugs, and events like this help keep the drugs out of the wrong hands.
"They know they are getting a high from it and giving it to friends and selling it at school, it's a huge deal for us in the country and the state," said Terry Lee with the Searcy Police Department.
An organized collection of the drugs also ensures they will be disposed of without being flushed down the toilet, which could contaminate local drinking water sources.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office and Little Rock Police Departments also participated in the drug take back program, collecting 277 lbs. of prescription drugs.
