The UALR Department of Public Safety is once again participating in the National Take Back Initiative, which encourages area residents to bring unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications and dispose of them in a safe and ecologically sound way.

UALR police will host a collection station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, located in the UALR Plaza, 2801 S. University Ave., Suite 700.

UALR Detective Sharon Bowles Houlette said the addition of a new, permanent prescription dropbox, provided by the West Little Rock Rotary Club, makes dropping off medications even more convenient.

“The dropbox makes everything more convenient for area residents, who can now drop off their unused medications year round,” she said. The dropbox is located inside the Department of Public Safety.

Houlette said on Oct. 26, residents can drive up and drop off medications without getting out of the car.

“I invite the campus community to take advantage of this opportunity to keep our area drug free and environmentally clean,” she said.

Houlette said a total of 18,764 pounds of medicine was collected during the last “Take Back” event. The initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The UALR station is one of hundreds across Arkansas where residents may bring medication to ensure it remains safely out of reach of children and potential abusers. A reminder that law enforcement is the only entity legally authorized to receive substances from citizens.

For more information about the UALR collection station, contact Houlette at 501-569-8797 or email slbowles@ualr.edu. For drop off centers in other places around the state, visit www.ARtakeback.org.