U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Louisiana issued the following announcement on April 25.
United States Attorney David C. Joseph will join the DEA this weekend for its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The public will have the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at collection sites across the Western District of Louisiana, which local law enforcement agencies and community partners will operate. The disposal service is free and anonymous - no questions asked.
“Unused prescription drugs often make their way into the hands of those who abuse them or children who might accidentally take them,” Joseph sated. “Please take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of these dangerous substances on Saturday at locations throughout the Western District of Louisiana. I am pleased to partner with DEA in supporting this event, and I encourage the public to do their part.”
“Prescription drug abuse has become the nation’s fastest growing drug epidemic,” DEA New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley said. “Last year, more Americans died from opioid overdoses than from all other drugs combined, including meth, cocaine and hallucinogens. Unfortunately, these prescription drugs are most often obtained from friends and family, who leave them in home medicine cabinets. DEA’s Take-Back initiative provides citizens an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. Please do your part to keep prescription drugs off the streets and help spread awareness in your community.”
Last October, Americans turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. In Louisiana, 3,615 pounds were collected. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of pills.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses because of these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose.
To find a collection site near you, go to: www.DEATakeBack.com where you can search by zip code, city and state or call 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)
Drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations across the Western District of Louisiana:
Shreveport
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Safety Town, 8910 Jewella Ave.
Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Ave. – staffed by Shreveport Police Department
Louisiana State Police Troop G, 5300 Industrial Drive Ext.
Lafayette
Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex, 1825 W. Willow St.
Alexandria
Alexandria Police Department, 1000 Bolton Ave.
Lake Charles
Lake Charles Police Department, Civic Center, 900 Lake Shore Drive
Westlake Police Department, 701 Johnson Street
Louisiana State Police, Troop D, 805 Main St.
Monroe
Louisiana State Police, Troop F, 3811 Desiard St.
Monroe Police Department, 700 Wood St.
Original source can be found here.