| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2943 | 2011-04-28 | Troop C | National Drug Take Back Initiative |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent Troop C News Release April 28, 2011 State Police to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day The Louisiana State Police, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2011, in an effort to help local residents rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications may be brought for disposal between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on April 30 to the Louisiana State Police troop location nearest you. This service is free and anonymous and is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted or unused prescription drugs to safely dispose of them. The first national initiative was conducted last September, when Americans brought approximately 121 tons of prescription drugs to nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners. This effort was extremely successful in removing and safely disposing prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances. This project addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are 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. Louisianans are also advised the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash -- pose potential safety and health hazards. Controlled (those substances which require a doctor’s prescription) non-controlled, and over-the-counter substances will be collected. This program is anonymous and every effort will be made to protect the anonymity of participants. No questions or requests for identification will be made. All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. Law enforcement personnel will not handle the medications at any time. Participants may 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. All solid dosage pharmaceutical product and liquids in consumer containers may be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Items that will not be accepted include: a) Syringes, intravenous solutions, injectables b) Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative, and should not be placed in collection containers. Directions to the troop location nearest you may be obtained by visiting our website, www.LSP.org or by dialing *LSP (*577) from your cellular telephone. Contact Information: | |||
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