Law enforcement agencies will give residents a chance to rid their homes of expired medications today during the Fifth National
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Drugs can be turned in at two locations — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the state police Troop D headquarters, 805 Main St., and 10 a.m.-2
p.m. at the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, 5400 E. Broad St.
At the last event, held April 28, Troop
D collected about 20 pounds of pills, Sgt. James Anderson said.
Nationwide, close
to 280 tons of prescription drugs were collected at sites operated
by the Drug Enforcement Administration and state and local
authorities.
Anderson said those participating in the program will remain anonymous. Officers will not handle medications.
“We’re there to make sure nobody takes drugs out that are put in the containers,” Anderson has said. “The drugs are then bundled
up and forwarded to the DEA for a disposal process.”
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs will be collected. Syringes, intravenous solutions, injectibles and illegal drugs
will not be accepted.
Leftover prescription drugs pose
dangers of theft, abuse and even accidental poisoning, officials said.
Additionally, the
standard practice of flushing old medicine down the toilet or
throwing it in the trash can lead to safety and health hazards.
For more information, call Troop D at 491-2932 or the Sheriff’s Office at 491-3700.