BROUSSARD — City leaders in Broussard are taking a step to help end the state's opioid epidemic.
The Broussard Police Department now has a prescription drug drop-off box in their lobby.
People are encouraged to leave their prescription medication that's either expired or no longer needed. Those who want to participate don't have to live in the city to drop off medication.
This is the third drug drop off box in Lafayette Parish. There's one at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Police Troop I.
According to Broussard police, from June 2018 to June 2019, they responded to nine calls where opioids were involved. In all cases, the drug naloxone had to be administered.
Officers are hoping their new prescription drug drop-off box will stop medication from ending up in the wrong hands.
"They're the eyes and ears. They're the ones who see the most, they hear the most, and those are the people that can give us information.," said Chief Brannon Decou. "Those are the people that can help us the most by simply just dropping your prescriptions off."
So far, Decou says they've received 20 pounds of prescription drugs.
The goal of the state initiative is to have at least one prescription drug drop-off box in every parish.
