Letter to the Editor

Drug Take Back boxes made available

Friday, September 26, 2014

To the editor:

Prescription drug abuse continues to be a problem among Arkansas teens.

By the time Arkansas high school students have reached their senior year, nearly 1 in 5 have abused prescription drugs. Most teens obtain the drugs they abuse from the medicine cabinets in their own homes, or the homes of friends and relatives. Many parents think prescription drugs aren't as dangerous as streets drugs and that they aren't addictive. In reality, medication abuse remains the leading cause of drug overdoses nationally.

The good news is we can be part of the solution to this problem.

The Rotary Clubs of Arkansas have provided a number of 24-hour collection boxes across the state -- including one at the Blytheville Police Station -- in support of the Arkansas Take Back program. These collection boxes, installed at secure locations, provide an easy way to properly dispose of your old medications.

More than 66 million pills have already been collected through the Arkansas Take Back initiative. We're proud of what has been accomplished so far, but until prescription drug abuse is eliminated, there's still much work to do.

Protect your family and your community and do your part to fight prescription drug abused. Dispose of your medications properly. Learn how at ARtakeback.org.

Ginny Braswell, president
Rotary Club of Blytheville