Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Tri-County Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Sheriff’s Association, Joint Task Force Arkansas Counterdrug, and the Arkansas Office of the Drug Director, has joined forces with the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) to combat the abuse and misuse of prescription medication across the state. The collaboration represents a bold and unprecedented alignment of local, county, and state efforts, all aiming to prevent loss of life due to opioid misuse.
ARORP, an initiative led by the Arkansas Municipal League and the Association of Arkansas Counties, manages the distribution of opioid settlement funds and coordinates strategy around prevention, treatment, enforcement, and recovery. The message driving the partnership is clear: “Be bold, stand together and commit to abating opioid misuse and addiction in Arkansas.”
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., residents across Arkansas will have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Arkansas Take-Back Initiative, an event that plays a vital role in reducing the supply of potentially dangerous medications that may otherwise lead to misuse, addiction, or theft.
Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. emphasized the significance of community participation. “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,” he said.
Sheriff Woods further explained, “Prescription drugs such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (OxyContin), 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.”
Take-Back Locations and Permanent Drop-Off Sites
For Jefferson County residents, the designated drop-off location for this fall’s event is Super 1 Foods at 2800 S. Hazel Street in Pine Bluff. Only pills or patches will be accepted—no liquids, needles, or sharps. The service is completely free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
In addition to the Take-Back event, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also maintains three permanent drug disposal bins at the following locations:
-
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, 410 E. 2nd Ave., Pine Bluff, AR 71601
-
Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy, 2302 W. 28th Ave., Pine Bluff, AR 71603
-
Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy, 7240 Sheridan Rd., White Hall, AR 71602
Record Participation Reflects Ongoing Community Commitment
During the previous statewide Prescription Drug Take-Back event on April 26, 2025, Arkansas law enforcement agencies collected a staggering 28,794 pounds of unused prescription drugs. When combined with past collections from 2010 to 2025, that total rises to over 657,946 pounds, or 328,973 tons of medications removed from circulation across the nation.
“More than half of people who misuse prescription medications obtain them from family and friends,” said Captain Yohance Brunson, Commander of the Tri-County Drug Task Force. “Disposing of unused medications is an easy, proactive way to safeguard our communities and foster a healthier future for all Arkansans.”
To find local drop-off locations, residents can visit ardrugtakeback.org/dispose-of-drugs/#dropoff. ARORP also encourages everyone to download the ReviveAR app to learn more about overdose prevention and safe drug disposal practices.
Through this coordinated effort, Arkansas law enforcement and community leaders are standing shoulder to shoulder to protect families, promote recovery, and prevent addiction—one pill at a time.
