As they do every year, area law enforcement and pharmacies are teaming up for Drug Take Back Day.
We have started a list below, by parish, of the events we've learned about. We'll be updating this story as we receive more information about Acadiana events.
Here's some general information about the annual event:
The DEA is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 at locations across the country.
To find the nearest Drug Take Back Day location, click here and see our list below.
Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.
Iberia Parish
The Iberia Parish Sheriff's office will hold its Drug Take Back event on Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. until noon. The event will be at Delaune's Pharmacy, 308 N. Lewis Street, in New Iberia.
Jeff Davis Parish
The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's office is participating in the DEA prescription drug take back initiative and will be available to take old prescription medications at the main office located at 1530 LA Hwy 90 West, Jennings, LA.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes place Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The department asks that residents not bring liquids or needles to be disposed of. Only tablets or capsule medicines will be accepted.
Lafayette Parish
On Saturday, October 24, 2020, Chief Chad Leger and The Scott Police Department will once again team with Brian Schlesinger State Farm and Larry Lantier of Cashway Pharmacy for Drug Take Back Day.
The event will take place from 9:00am until 12:00pm in the parking lot of Brian Schlesinger State Farm on the corner of Cameron St. and Cayret St.
The agencies will be collecting controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter substances. No inventory is taken and all disposals are anonymous. Please do not include syringes or injectables.
Chief Leger will also have an officer available for a free child seat compliance check.
Please contact Scott Police Department at 337-233-3715 or the DEA at 800-882-9539 for additional information. You can also visit www.dea.gov for more details and collection sites.
St. Martin Parish
On Saturday, October 24, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
It will be held at the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex located at 4870 Main Hwy., at the corner of Cypress Island Extension and Main Hwy.
To keep everyone safe, we will be following local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. We will have drive through service, so you won’t have to exit your vehicle. We can’t accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. This is a chance to safely rid your medicine cabinet of expired or no longer needed medications.
