Drug Buy Back This Saturday

I bet if you check your medicine cabinet you will find expired prescription drugs. Any drug that has passed it's expiration date should never be taken and should be disposed of properly. There are also other dangers associated with keeping old medicines. That's what this program is all about.

According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

That is why the CSPO, the DEA and the Louisiana State Police are hosting the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This Saturday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. you can bring medications for disposal to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's office at 5400 E. Broad Street or any Louisiana State Police troop location. They will be disposed of properly and no questions will be ask. Call the CPSO at 491-3700 with any questions.