SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. - Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook urges the public to discard unused prescription drugs this weekend at area collection sites during Drug Take Back Day.
On Oct. 22, 2016, the public turned in 731,269 pounds-almost 366 tons-of medication to DEA and more than 4,000 of its community partners at almost 5,200 collection sites nationwide. Over the life of the program, 7.1 million pounds (more than 3,500 tons) of prescription drugs have been removed from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers and nightstands by citizens around the country.
Unused medicines in the home are a problem because the majority of the 6.4 million Americans who abused prescription drugs in 2015, including the almost 4 million who abused prescription painkillers, say they obtained those drugs from friends and family, including from a home medicine cabinet, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin; four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers. Almost 30,000 people-78 a day-died from overdosing on these painkillers or heroin in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses because of these drugs. Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines-flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash-both pose potential safety and health hazards.
The DEA will have collection sites across the country on Saturday, April 29, for those who are interested in bringing their unused or expired prescription drugs for proper disposal. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites - liquids and needles or other sharp objects will not be accepted. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Prescription drugs can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 29, at:
Shreveport
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Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Safety Town in the parking lot of Summer Grove Baptist Church, 8910 Jewella Ave.
Bossier City
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Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Viking Drive Substation, 2510 Viking Drive
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Louisiana State Police Troop G office, 5300 Industrial Drive
Barksdale Air Force Base
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Barksdale Air Force Base Exchange, 455 Curtis Road
Monroe
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Louisiana State Police Troop F office, 1240 Highway 594
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Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, 1801 North 18th St.
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Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, 4070 Highway 165
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Super One, 2810 Louisville Ave.
West Monroe
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Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy, 3426 Cypress St.
Alexandria
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Louisiana State Police Troop E office, 1710 Odom St.
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Alexandria Police Department, 1000 Bolton Ave.
Broussard
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Broussard Police Department at Walgreen’s parking lot, 105 St. Nazaire St.
Lake Charles
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Lake Charles Police Department at 900 Lake Short Drive (Civic Center)
Morgan City
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Walgreens, 815 Brashear Ave.
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Walmart Neighborhood Market parking lot, 1002 La.-70
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Walmart Super Center, 973 Highway 90-East
The public can also find other nearby collection sites by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the Take Back Day icon, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code or call 800-882-9539.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
