MONROE, La. – Northeast Delta Human Services Authority is hosting a drop-off event for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
People can bring old medications to the event to safely dispose of them. Officials will be taking prescription and over-the-counter medication.
They say throwing drugs in your trash doesn’t guarantee they won’t be later found and used. Flushing them down the toilet isn’t environmentally safe either. So, this is the most efficient way of getting rid of medications to help fight the opioid epidemic.
“Every day, more than 130 people die from an opioid related overdose. Each year, 10 million people misuse prescription opioids,” says Kara Etienne, opioid use disorder prevention manager with the Northeast Delta HSA.
Etienne says Louisiana is “fifth in prescribing rates and 19th in the nation in opioid-related overdose deaths.” Between 2014 and 2018, there was a 49 percent increase in drug-involved deaths.
The drop-off will be drive-thru in the Northeast Delta HSA parking lot at 2513 Ferrand Street in Monroe. It will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
There are also several drop boxes throughout northeast Louisiana. You can always drop off medications to them, not just Saturday. They are listed below:
- East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office 400 First Street, Lake Providence 318-559-2800
- Grambling Police Department 2045 W. MLK Jr Ave., Grambling 318-247-3771
- Monroe Police Department 700 Wood Street, Monroe 318-329-2600
- Tallulah Police Department 500 East Green Street, Tallulah 318-574-3230
- Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office 212 Hancock Street, St. Joseph 318-766-3961
- ULM Police Department – Filhiol Hall 3811 DeSiard Street, Monroe 318-342-5350
