Jefferson County, Arkansas — As concerns over prescription drug misuse continue to affect communities across the state, local and state law enforcement agencies are preparing for another coordinated effort aimed at prevention, awareness, and safe disposal. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has announced its participation in the annual Arkansas Drug Take Back Day, a large-scale initiative designed to remove unused and expired medications from homes before they can be misused or diverted.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., and will be part of the broader Arkansas Drug Take Back Initiative. Residents will be able to drop off medications safely, anonymously, and free of charge at designated collection points. The main site in Jefferson County will be located at Super 1 Foods, 2800 S. Hazel Street in Pine Bluff.
This effort is not being carried out by a single agency. Instead, it brings together a wide network of partners, including the Tri-County Drug Task Force, the Joint Task Force Arkansas Counterdrug, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association, the Arkansas State Police, and the Arkansas Office of the Drug Director. These agencies are working alongside the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, an organization formed through collaboration between the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties.
The partnership plays a central role in coordinating how opioid settlement funds are distributed at the local level. More importantly, it focuses on reducing overdose deaths through a combination of prevention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery programs. Officials say the message behind the initiative is straightforward but urgent: communities must act together to confront opioid misuse.
“The drug overdose epidemic is a clear and present public health and public safety issue. Our partnership with law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Arkansas and beyond as part of the Annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects the commitment of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to the health and safety of citizens, while encouraging the public remove expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications from their homes in order to prevent medication misuse. This also helps prevent opioid dependency or addiction,” said Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. “Prescription drugs such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (OxyCotin), and Fentanyl (Duragesic) just to name a few are among the most commonly found in home medicine cabinets. These drugs are also among the highest that are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.”
Law enforcement officials emphasize that many cases of misuse begin in the home. Unused medications stored in cabinets, drawers, or bedside tables often become easy targets for theft or accidental consumption. By encouraging residents to clean out their medicine supplies, officials hope to reduce these risks before they turn into larger problems.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is also reminding residents that while the main collection event will be held on April 25, permanent disposal options are available year-round. Drug collection bins are located at three sites: the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 410 E. 2nd Ave. in Pine Bluff, Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy at 2302 W. 28th Ave. in Pine Bluff, and another Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy at 7240 Sheridan Rd. in White Hall. These bins allow for ongoing safe disposal beyond the single-day event.
However, during the Take Back Day event itself, residents are asked to bring only pills and patches. Liquids, needles, and sharps will not be accepted. Officials stress that the service is completely anonymous, with no questions asked, making it easy for individuals and families to participate without concern.
The scale of previous Drug Take Back efforts highlights the importance of the program. During Arkansas’ most recent collection event in October 2025, law enforcement agencies across the state gathered approximately 26,500 pounds of unused prescription medications. These drugs were permanently removed from circulation, reducing the risk of misuse and environmental contamination.
Even more striking are the national figures. Since the program began in 2010, coordinated Take Back events across the United States have collected more than 684,446 pounds—about 342 tons—of prescription medications. Officials say these numbers reflect both the ongoing need for safe disposal options and the willingness of the public to participate when given the opportunity.
Much of the success of the program, according to law enforcement, comes down to awareness. Many people simply do not realize how many unused or expired medications remain in their homes, or how easily those drugs can be misused by others. This is especially concerning in cases where medications are shared informally among friends or family members.
“More than half of people who misuse prescription medications obtain them from family and friends,” said Tri-County Drug Task Force Commander Captain Yohance Brunson. “Disposing of unused medications is an easy, proactive way to safeguard our communities and foster a healthier future for all Arkansans.”
The message is consistent across agencies: prevention begins at home. By removing unnecessary medications from circulation, communities reduce opportunities for addiction, accidental ingestion, and illegal distribution. Officials also point out that proper disposal helps protect the environment, preventing drugs from entering water systems or landfills.
To further support these efforts, the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership encourages residents to use digital tools such as the ReviveAR app. The app provides information about safe medication disposal locations, educational resources, and updates on statewide initiatives aimed at reducing opioid-related harm.
Residents can also find additional collection sites by visiting https://ardrugtakeback.org/dispose-of-drugs/#dropoff. The website offers a searchable list of drop-off points across Arkansas, making it easier for individuals in both urban and rural areas to participate.
While the Take Back Day event lasts only a few hours, officials stress that its impact extends far beyond a single Saturday. It is part of a larger, ongoing effort to address opioid misuse from multiple angles—law enforcement, healthcare, education, and community involvement all working together.
For Jefferson County and its partner agencies, the goal is not only to collect medications but to shift habits. Every pill returned, every cabinet cleaned, and every household made safer contributes to a broader public health effort.
As April 25 approaches, law enforcement agencies are once again asking residents to take a simple but meaningful step: look through their medicine cabinets, gather what is no longer needed, and bring it to a collection site. In doing so, they are not just disposing of old prescriptions—they are helping reduce risk, protect families, and strengthen the safety net of the entire community.
