TAKE Back DAY!!!!
HAMMOND, LA - (October 11, 2017) - On Saturday, October 28, 2017, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The purpose of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is to provide a venue for persons wanting to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. Partaking in this nationwide campaign allows us to aggressively reach out to the community to encourage and provide a safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription medication. Many are aware that medicines which are languishing in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates” states Edwards.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. With this said, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
This year, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office will be set up and equipped to collect any unwanted prescription medications on Saturday October 28th from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Park located at 301 North 6th Street in Ponchatoula. This year’s Take Back initiative will be set up before and during the National Night Out Against Crime Event.
This initiative is always a great success. Last year the TPSO collected 171.5 pounds of unwanted prescription medications from our residents. Already this year (April-2017), our office collected an additional 146.5 pounds.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of any unwanted medications safely.
When: Saturday October 28, 2017
Where: Memorial Park, Ponchatoula, LA
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
What you should know about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day:
• Drop off is anonymous – no questions asked.
• Package all prescription drugs in plastic or glass bottles or (if pills) sturdy plastic bags.
• Remove all labels on all bottles to protect privacy.
• Do not drop off illicitly manufactured controlled substances such as heroin, LSD and marijuana.
• Do not drop off syringes or needles.
The final disposal of collected prescription drugs is environmentally-friendly (through incineration).
