News/Events

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning consumers about a lethal opioid that may be lurking in their kitchen pantries – unwashed poppy seeds. After meeting with parents who lost a child to these seemingly innocent seeds, Attorney General Rutledge wants to ensure that all Arkansans are educated about the dangers. While washed poppy seeds are a safe and popular ingredient in everything from baked goods to salad dressings, some individuals are engaging in the dangerous behavior of making a “tea” with the unwashed seeds to settle their nerves or to get a high.

“The brewing and consumption of unwashed poppy seed tea is a dangerous trend with potentially lethal consequences,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Unwashed poppy seeds are available from many online retailers and could be easily confused for the commonly-used washed variety. Arkansans should ensure that they are purchasing and using the correct variety of poppy seeds since the unwashed seeds can be dangerous, addictive and even lethal.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips for consumers shopping online who may have purchased unwashed poppy seeds instead of washed by mistake.

• Thoroughly review the order to ensure you are ordering the product(s) you searched for.
• Carefully research the product by reading manufacturer information, consumer reviews and other literature to determine whether the seeds are washed or unwashed.
• Read and understand the refund and shipping policies before you make your purchase. Look closely at disclosures about the seller’s refund and shipping policies.
• If possible, use credit cards for payment. Credit card purchases are the most secure and easiest to return. And under federal law, you can dispute the charges if you do not get what you were promised.

Arkansas consumers should also be aware of the overdose risks that may come with unwashed poppy seeds. Recent research found that the unwashed seeds can have an opium latex on them that is activated during the tea brewing process. Morphine levels vary widely among unwashed seeds, ranging from trace to lethal amounts, and consumers should be cautious and thoroughly research the products they are purchasing.

LITTLE ROCK – As the opioid epidemic continues to wreak havoc across the state, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is encouraging all Arkansans to participate in the statewide Prescription Drug Take Back this Saturday, April 28. In the face of an epidemic that claimed 401 Arkansans in 2016, it is more critical than ever to clean out medicine cabinets and ensure that unused, expired and unwanted prescriptions remain out of the hands of children and those with addiction.

“The number of Arkansans impacted by the opioid epidemic is staggering and we all must work together to end opioid abuse and misuse,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have unknowingly become drug dealers to their family members. By cleaning out our medicine cabinets and properly disposing of expired and unused prescription medication, whether at the Arkansas Prescription Drug Take Back on April 28 or one of my office’s take back events, we can save lives.”

Attorney General Rutledge is reminding all Arkansans about the national Prescription Drug Take Back Event and the many drop-off locations available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. Medications may be returned in the original bottle or in any other container for increased privacy.

Rutledge released the following list of medications that will be accepted at these events across the State:

· Opioids, such as OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, etc.

· Stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, etc.

· Depressants, such as Ativan, Xanax, Valium, etc.

· Other prescription medications

· Over-the-counter medicines

· Vitamins

· Pet medicines

· Medicated ointments and lotions

· Inhalers

· Liquid medicines in glass or leak-proof containers (up to 12 ounces)

· Medicine samples

According to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and Medical Examiner’s Office, 401 Arkansans died from drug overdoses in 2016. More than 40 percent of teenagers in Arkansas have tried prescription drugs and more than half of all teens report that it is easy to obtain prescription drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinets.

Take backs are also important in protecting the environment and home. Many medications are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems, meaning that medicines flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting waters and contaminating food and water supplies. Turning over these medications at Take Back Day events also reduces the risk of accidental poisonings by children, seniors or pets, as well as reduces the risk of drug abuse.

LITTLE ROCK – Con artists are trying to take advantage of Arkansans who suffered property damage from the eleven tornados that touched down across our state last Friday, April 13. Damage is strung from the northwest corner to the southeast corner of the Natural State, leaving countless storm victims vulnerable to scams as they assess the damage and seek repairs this week.

“Home repair scams are common following severe weather and place additional strain on hard working Arkansans when repairs aren’t completed as promised,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “These bad actors prey on victims of severe weather and take advantage of the unexpected and urgent nature of storm damage repairs. I urge all Arkansans to stay alert and use caution as they begin the clean-up process.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to ensure they hire a reputable contractor to complete the repairs:

LITTLE ROCK – April 8-14 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to raise awareness about financial compensation for victims who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of violent crime. Victims of crime may receive financial assistance to cover the medical and funeral expenses incurred by the victim or the victim’s family. Communities across the country, including here in Arkansas are hosting events this week to honor crime victims and recognize those who advocate on their behalf.

“I say thank you to the countless members of the law enforcement community and to the advocates in our State who provide a lifeline of hope and support to victims and their families,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand how tragedies can impact families across Arkansas. I will continue to work hard to promote safer communities while also honoring the advocates who work each day with victims and survivors.”

This year’s theme for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week is “Expand the Circle Reach All Victims.”

Attorney General Rutledge is participating in an event this week to also proclaim this week as Arkansas Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program, administered by the Office of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on behalf of the Crime Victims Reparations Board, provides financial compensation to victims and family members who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of violent crime.

Additionally, the Sexual Assault Reimbursement Program allows evidence to be collected after a sexual assault has been committed without the victim bearing the burden of the expense, and it pays for ambulance services and medical or legal examinations.

LITTLE ROCK – Hackers are attempting to infiltrate social media accounts in order to target friends of account holders by posing as the person and pushing programs that allege to provide financial assistance. The hackers prey upon trusting relationships between friends and family by claiming that completion of a simple application will allow them to help with a variety of expenses, ranging from paying bills to starting a new business.

“In their latest criminal ploy, hackers try to exploit trusted relationships between friends and families to scam innocent Arkansans out of thousands of dollars,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “While social media users should only connect with individuals they actually know, criminals will not hesitate to hack accounts and pose as trusted friends to push their scams. Arkansans must remain vigilant and avoid giving out any personal information online or over the phone – if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to help Arkansans keep their personal information secure on social media: