Arkansas residents can dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications including opioids on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the state’s fall Drug Take Back Day, KATV reported. Law enforcement agencies across the state will host collection drives to give people secure drop-off options, preventing improper disposal methods that can contaminate waterways and put families at risk.
Statewide Collection Drives Target Unused Prescription Drugs on Oct. 24
Law enforcement agencies in every county across Arkansas will participate in the Oct. 24 collection event, KAIT reported. Residents can drop off medications anonymously at designated local sites to reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse and accidental poisonings. Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, noted that substance misuse prevention starts at home and cleaning out medicine cabinets takes only a few minutes.
State officials emphasize that flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in household trash creates environmental hazards. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that the initiative provides convenient and responsible alternatives for getting rid of dangerous substances.
Jefferson County and National Collection Turnouts Show Growing Participation
As reported by Deltaplex News, the Tri-County Drug Task Force gathered 314.2 pounds of medications during the April Drug Take Back Day, while an additional 405.8 pounds were collected by the Redfield Police Department, White Hall Police Department, and Pine Bluff Police Vice and Narcotics Unit. Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. noted that the cooperative effort involves federal, state, and local agencies working to keep dangerous drugs out of the community.
Nationwide, the Drug Enforcement Administration reported collecting 642,410 pounds of medications during the April collection across 4,417 sites. Since the federal program started in 2010, authorities have collected more than 21 million pounds of medications nationwide. In Arkansas, residents have disposed of over 342 tons of unwanted medications through the state program since its 2010 launch, with spring 2026 totals reaching 50,240 pounds.
Permanent Drop Boxes Offer Year-Round Disposal Options
Residents who cannot attend the Oct. 24 event have access to more than 300 permanent drop boxes across Arkansas for year-round disposal, according to KAIT. In Jefferson County, permanent collection boxes are located at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office main office at 410 East 2nd in Pine Bluff, Doctor’s Orders locations in Pine Bluff and White Hall, the Redfield Police Department, and the Pine Bluff Police Department, Deltaplex News reported. Arkansans can locate nearby drop boxes online at ARDrugTakeBack.org/Dispose-of-Drugs or through the ReviveAR app.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Drug Take Back Day
Where can I drop off my medications in Jefferson County on October 24?
According to Deltaplex News, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will host its main collection event this Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Super 1 Foods, which is located at 2800 South Hazel Street in Pine Bluff.
How many total pounds of medication has Arkansas collected since 2010?
According to KAIT, a total of 367 tons of unwanted medications have been destroyed since the Arkansas Drug Take Back initiative began in 2010.
Are there alternative ways to find permanent drop box locations in Arkansas?
Residents can find nearby drop box locations year-round by visiting ARDrugTakeBack.org/Dispose-of-Drugs or by using the ReviveAR app, as reported by KAIT.
What was the total weight collected during the spring 2026 collection in Arkansas?
Law enforcement agencies, community partners, and volunteers collected 50,240 pounds of medications during the statewide event in spring 2026, according to KAIT.
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