WESTSIDE — Area police departments are joining in a nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back-Day this Saturday, Sept. 25. This announcement comes from Chief Zeb Rone of Sulphur Springs, Trent Morrison of Gravette, Terry Luker of Decatur and Keith Smith of Gentry.

By participating in this nationwide effort, area families will be able to rid their homes of unused and unneeded prescription drugs.

The departments will accept the drugs between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday at their respective police stations.

Although flushing unused medications down the commode has been a common practice, experts warn that such disposal can possibly contaminate underground water sources.

Teen Protection

Gentry Police Chief Smith noted, “Statistically, Arkansas is among U.S. states with the highest rates of non-medical pain relievers among 12-25 year olds.

Twenty-two percent of Arkansas high school students say they’ve abused prescription drugs by the time they’re seniors. Arkansas sixth-graders abuse more prescription drugs than any other substance except alcohol and cigarettes.

“Sixty-two percent of teens believe most teens get drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets and 63 percent of teens believe drugs are easy to get from their parents’ medicine cabinets.

As many as one in five teens share their prescription drugs with friends and think ‘there is nothing wrong’ with using prescription drugs every once in a while.

“Additionally, girls are more likely than boys to intentionally misuse prescription medicine to get high, although use by boys is rising at an alarming rate.

“Across the board, 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons andabuse of these drugs is a serious and growing problem.

“Some prescription drugs are more addictive than others. You can easily become addicted to drugs such as narcotic painkillers, sedatives and tranquilizers as well as stimulants,” the chief added.

Disposal of such medications will also lessen the possibility of substances falling into the wrong hands. Disposing of medicines which are no longer being used also eliminates taking them in error with possible health risks.

The chief advises persons turn in any old or outdated drugs, as well as used syringes, and they will be disposed of properly at no cost.

If you have questions about the project which is being participated in by agencies throughout the United States, call your local police department: Sulphur Springs, 298-7773; Decatur, 752-3911; Gentry, 736-8400; Gravette, 787-6948.

News, Pages 12 on 09/22/2010