| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 4886 | 2016-02-10 | Troop F | LSP Partners with Blue Cross for Safe Disposal of Prescription Medication |
TROOP E AND TROOP F NEWS RELEASE February 10, 2016 LSP Partners with Blue Cross for Safe Disposal of Prescription Medication Alexandria, LA - The Louisiana State Police would like to announce a newly formed partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. This new partnership is an effort to help local residents rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. Expired, unused, and unwanted medications will be able to be brought for disposal to Louisiana State Police Troop E, 1710 Odom Street, Alexandria or Louisiana State Police Troop F, 1240 LA Hwy 594, Monroe, LA. This service is free and anonymous and is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted or unused prescription drugs to dispose of them safely. This program 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. America’s 12 to 17 year olds have made prescription drugs the number one substance of abuse for their age group. More and more adults recognize the need to remove these substances from the home and legally and safely turn them over to law enforcement for proper chain of custody. Citizens are also advised the usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can potentially pose safety and health hazards. This partnership between Blue Cross, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) and Louisiana State Police Troops E and F will allow for an installed secure drug drop box in Rapides Parish and Ouachita Parish. The drug drop box will be emptied regularly and the contents will be collected and prepared for disposal that is eco-friendly and in accordance with Federal and State laws. This program not only helps to protect the environment, it can also deter the usage of prescription drugs by unintended parties, including young people facing peer pressure and new ways to “get high.” Louisiana State Police constantly strives to be proactive in enhancing public safety and saving lives. We believe that the service this program provides will have a long term effect on the community and will be successful for years to come. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates there are 6.5 million current non-medical users of psychotherapeutic drugs (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) in the United States. The NSDUH survey further indicates there are more Americans abusing psychotherapeutic drugs than the number of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogenic, and inhalant drugs abusers combined. Expired, unused, or unwanted controlled dangerous substances in our homes are a potential source of supply that can fuel this abuse and pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. This program is completely 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. Items that will NOT be accepted include intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes (due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens). Illicit substances such as marijuana and methamphetamines are NOT part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. Contact Information: M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Troop E Office: (318) 769-9USA (872) scott.moreau@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice Contact Information: S/T Michael Reichardt Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Troop F Office: (318) 345-2810 michael.reichardt@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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