Saline County's Prescription Medicine Take Back Brings in 1,175 Pounds

Saline County reports big success with its prescription medicine take back collection on Saturday.

Law enforcement agencies in Saline County took in 1,171.2 pounds of prescription medicine during Operation Medicine Cabinet VI held on September 29th.

Agencies that participated were Alexander Police Department, Benton Police Department, Bryant Police Department, Haskell Police Department, and the Saline County Sheriff's Office. 

Individual totals for the event were:

• Alexander Police Department - 4 pounds
• Benton Police Department - 717.8 pounds
• Bryant Police Department - 234 pounds 
• Haskell Police Department - 35.6 pounds 
• Saline County Sheriff's Office -183.8 pounds 

The event was part of the 5th National Drug Take Back day that was being held nationwide and the sixth for Saline County. There were more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the state that participated in this event.

Since the first event, Saline County has collected more than 1.5 tons of old medicine:

• Medicine Cabinet I - 142 pounds
• Medicine Cabinet II - 540 pounds
• Medicine Cabinet III - 734 pounds
• Medicine Cabinet IV - 537 pounds
• Medicine Cabinet V - 830 pounds
• Medicine Cabinet VI - 1,175 pounds 
• Total - 3,398 pounds

During Operation Medicine Cabinet VI numerous $5 Wal-Mart gift cards and Sonic drink coupons were handed out to those that took the time to drop off their old medicine. Additionally, there were four $50 Wal-Mart gift cards mixed in with the $5 cards that went to 4 lucky people.

Benton Police say statistics show that 70-percent of the prescription drugs that are abused and misused come from the home medicine cabinet. It is important to Monitor, Secure, and Dispose of these drugs to prevent injury and death. Every 19 minutes, someone loses their life in the United States to prescription abuse or misuse.

Anybody who missed the take back event can always drop off their old medicine at the 24/7 drop off box located in the lobby of the Benton Police Department. All of the medicine that was collected will be destroyed in a safe and environmentally safe way in conjunction with the DEA and the Arkansas National Guard.

Benton Police say without the support of the citizen's of the community the success of this event would not be possible and "we thank you."

Click here for information about how to dispose of unused medicines.