Drive collecting unused, expired medications
Advocate staff report
September 29, 2012
South Louisiana residents will have a chance Saturday to rid their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs during the State Police’s fifth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Saturday’s event, which also is hosted by local law enforcement, is an opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted or unused prescription drugs to safely dispose of them, according to a Louisiana State Police news release.
Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse, Trooper Albert Paxton said.
Common methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can pose potential safety and health hazards, he said.
The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second, only to marijuana, as the most common form of drug abuse in America, Paxton said. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet, he said.
Medications can be brought to the nearest State Police troop between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions or requests for identification will be made.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office also will collect the drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ochsner Health Center, 16777 O’Neal Lane.
Controlled drugs or substances that require a doctor’s prescription, non-controlled and over the counter substances will be collected, Paxton said.
All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process.
Law enforcement personnel will not handle the medications at any time, Paxton said.
Participants can dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box. If an original container is submitted, the individual should remove any identifying information from the prescription label, Paxton said.
All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in the original container. Make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Syringes, intravenous solutions, injectables and illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines are not part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers, Paxton said.
The following troops throughout the state will serve as collection sites.
TROOP A
17801 Highland Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
TROOP B
2101 Interstate 10 Service Road
Kenner, LA 70065
TROOP C
4047 W. Park Ave.
Gray, LA 70359
TROOP I
121 E. Pont De Mouton
Lafayette, LA 70507
TROOP L
2600 N. Causeway
Mandeville, LA 70471
Ochsner Medical Center also is serving as a collection point in Jefferson and Orleans parishes.
OCHSNER MEDICAL CENTER
180 W. Esplanade Ave.
Kenner, LA 70065
OCHSNER MEDICAL CENTER - WEST BANK CAMPUS
2500 Belle Chasse Highway
Gretna, LA 70056
OCHSNER MEDICAL CENTER
1516 Jefferson Highway
New Orleans, LA 70121