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Area drug take-back days

Posted at 11:16 AM, Apr 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-24 12:16:27-04

Several local agencies are conducing drug take-back days. 

We’ve gathered the information we could find and posted it below, organized by parish.  We’ll update this story as we receive more information. 

LAFAYETTE PARISH

LAFAYETTE: The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and the DEA will host its 15th drug take-back day in the past eight years on April 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Public Safety Complex located at 1825 West Willow Street. 

Residents can bring pills and patches for disposal. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Since 2010, the DEA and its partner agencies have taken in more than 9 million pounds of unwanted prescription drugs. The event addresses a vital public safety and health issue, according to the sheriff. Medicines that sit in medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, including overdoses and accidental poisonings. Studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family members or friends. Also, improper disposal of drugs – like flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – can pose other safety and health hazards, the sheriff says. 

BROUSSARD: The Broussard Police will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday April 28, 2018.  This is a semi-annual event in which people can turn in unused, unwanted or unnecessary prescription drugs that they have in the medicine cabinets at home.  There are no questions asked and the prescriptions are taken from the public and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for safe and proper disposal.  BPD personnel will be supported by Walgreens employees who will provide safety information and tips at the drop off location.  The Broussard Police drop off site will at Walgreen’s in Broussard located at 105 St. Nazaire Road, in the parking lot behind the business from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM and a convenient drive through will be provided for drop offs. 

Additional information about prescription drugs:

  • Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
  • The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends-and the home medicine cabinet.
  • Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.
  • Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply.

For more information contact the Broussard Police Department at 337 837-6259.

SCOTT: Chief Chad Leger is proud to announce that the Scott Police Department is once again teaming up with Brian Schlesinger State Farm Insurance, Cashway Pharmacy and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for Drug Take Back Day. The event will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 9am to noon. Scott Police Department will have their tent set up on the corner of Cameron St. and Cayret St. in the parking lot of Brian Schlesinger State Farm Insurance, across the street from Cashway Pharmacy.

Members of the community will be able to pull up in their vehicle and safely dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and/or unwanted drugs. They will not be able to accept any needles. This service is free and anonymous. In addition, Chief Chad Leger will have an officer who has been certified in Child Safety Seat Installation at the location between 9am and 11am to educate drivers in the proper installation of child safety seats. This is also a free service.

Proper disposal of unwanted medicines is important. Most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. They can lead to overdoses and accidental poisonings. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration first launched its "Take-Back" day more than six years ago. The last Drug Take Back Day in Scott took place on October 28, 2017, where 10 boxes of medication, weighing approximately 114 lbs. was turned in for collection and disposal.

Chief Leger encourages all members of the community to take advantage of this event as another way of protecting our children and keeping our households safe.

ST. MARTIN PARISH 

BREAUX BRIDGE: On Saturday, April 28, 2018, Deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office will be at Walgreens, 1401 Rees Street, Breaux Bridge, LA., from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., to collect and safely dispose of any over the counter or prescription medications that are expired or no longer needed. This is part of the DEA’s nationwide initiative to encourage residents to safely dispose of their expired medications. The only items that will not be collected will be intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes.  

According to the DEA, “Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends —and the home medicine cabinet. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.”

Deputies will be on hand to assist you in the disposal process, just drive up and drop them in the collection box. If you need any further information, please contact Major Ginny Higgins at (337) 394-2619 for assistance.

ST. MARY PARISH 

MORGAN CITY: In partnership with the DEA, Walgreens Pharmacy, and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market the Morgan City Police Department will be conducting a Drug-Takeback on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at two different locations. Please gather all your unwanted prescription medications to be properly disposed of. The Morgan City Police Department also offers these services year-round with a Prescription Medication Drop-Box that is located in our lobby at the Morgan City Police Department located at 723 Myrtle St. Morgan City, La. These items can be dropped off and deposited in the box Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m with No Questions Asked.