The Drug Enforcement Administration hosted its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day today across the State of Louisiana.
The event gives Louisianians the opportunity to rid their homes of unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
All collection sites were ran by local law enforcement agencies and community partners. The disposal service is free and anonymous.
Last October, Americans turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs
at more than 5,800 sites. In Louisiana, 3,615 pounds were collected.
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.
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