BENTON (KATV) — U.S. Senator John Boozman (R) and U.S. Rep. French Hill (R) are set to join the Benton Police Department for "Operation Medicine Cabinet XII," a DEA prescription pill take back initiative.
Operation Medicine Cabinet XII is working to get excess prescription drugs off the street in order to stop the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. It also aims to raise awareness of the dangers of legal and illegal use of prescription drugs.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 30. One of the drop off spots will be at the Ferguson's Furniture parking lot, 1200 Ferguson Drive in Benton.
There will also be another drop off location at Hurricane Lake Estates Boat Ramp, 6015 Worth Ave E. in Benton.
Prescriptions can also be dropped at any time into the drop box located at the Benton Police Department.
"The availability of prescription painkillers is a leading factor in the increase of opioid abuse," Boozman said in a Benton PD release. "Since 1999, opioid overdose deaths have quadrupled. Nationwide 44 people die from prescription abuse or misuse every day. Arkansas Take Back is responsible for removing more than 72 tons of unneeded medication, estimated at 201 million pills from Arkansas homes. Help reduce the risk of developing addictions to prescription drugs by participating in Operation Medicine Cabinet."
"This is a serious problem that deserves more of our attention At the age of 18, my daughter knew four people that lost their lives due to the influence of prescription drugs. That's tragic," Hill said in a Benton PD release. "Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in Arkansas and throughout our country. I'm grateful for men like [BNPD] Chief Kirk Lane who leads on this issue."