National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will take part in the "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day" on Saturday, October 28, 2017. If you have expired, unused, or unwanted medication in your home, you can drop it off at a Louisiana State Police Troop location nearest you from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For residents in Southwest Louisiana, it's Troop D, which is located at 805 Main Street in Lake Charles.

"This initiative provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for medication abuse," said an LSP media release.

This program addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Unused medicine that remains in the home is highly susceptible to diversion and misuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. Studies show the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Residents get a safe way to dispose of unwanted or unused medication, and not only is it free, it's also anonymous. No one has to know you dropped them off.

For more details about the "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day", visit the DEA website.