Law enforcement agencies in Saline County took in 1,333 pounds of prescription medicine during Operation Medicine Cabinet XII held on September 26th. Agencies that participated in the take back were Benton Police Department, Bryant Police Department, Haskell Police Department, and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
The event was part of the 11th Statewide Drug Take Back day that was being held all across the state and the 12th for Saline County. There were over 130 law enforcement agencies across the state that participated in this event. Since the first event in Saline County, agencies have collected over 5 tons of old medicine and the results from these events are:
Medicine Cabinet I: 142 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet II: 540 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet III: 734 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet IV: 537 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet V: 830 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet VI: 1,175 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet VII: 1,190 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet VII: 1088 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet IX: 963 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet X: 885 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet XI: 1,500 lbs.
Medicine Cabinet XII: 1,333 lbs.
Total: 10,347 lbs.
Every single day in the U.S., there are approximately 44 people that die as a result of a prescription drug overdose. Statistics tell us that approximately two-thirds of the prescription drugs that are abused and misused by teens and young adults come from the home medicine cabinet. It is important to Monitor, Secure, and Dispose of these drugs to prevent injury and death. This also ensures the medications don’t make their way into our water supply and contaminate it.
Chief Kirk Lane has this to say about the event, “I want to thank all of those that were responsible for helping organize another successful take back day and to thank those that took the time to make their community safer by participating in this 12th take back event. I would ask that everyone strives to at least educate one more household to get involved to help save lives and make Benton a safer community.”
During Operation Medicine Cabinet XII, numerous Sonic drink coupons were handed out in addition to eight $25 Wal-Mart gift cards that were presented to those that took the time to drop off their old medicine.
Anyone 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 an environmentally safe way in conjunction with the DEA and the AR National Guard. Without the support of the citizens of our community, the success of this event would not be possible and we THANK YOU.
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