Message from Garland County Sheriff Larry Sanders

When you think about drug abuse, most likely you think about illicit street drugs like cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine. But there is another form of drug abuse that poses a real danger to our loved ones.

Every day, more than 2500 teenagers abuse prescription medication for the first time. In 2009, more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs. It is reported that among 12 and 13 year-olds, prescription drugs are the drugs of choice.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas has the worst teen prescription pain reliever abuse problem in the country. By the time Arkansas high school students have reached their senior year, 22% have abused prescription drugs.

It is important for parents, educators, youth leaders, and others who regularly interact with kids to familiarize themselves with the current trends and the direction that this epidemic is going.

It is equally important for us to properly store, and dispose of, current, expired or unused medications. I would like to remind you to keep your medications out of sight, preferably in a locked cabinet, and out of the reach of those who it is not intended for. Never flush your expired or unused medications down the toilet. These find their way into our water supply, damage aquatic life and the environment.

Please plan to attend, and drop off your expired and/or unused medications, at our 5th Prescription Drug Take Back on April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Garland County Sheriff's Department.

Note: The Saline County Sheriff's Department will also have a prescription drop-off at the Village east gate on the same date.