Authorities looking for clues in Thibodaux shooting
October 26, 2017
TGMC expands comprehensive breast health services
October 26, 2017
Local authorities are urging citizens to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs this weekend.
Both the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Houma Police Department will hold pickups in conjunction with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is this weekend.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will partner with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, South Louisiana Human Services Authority, Lafourche Prevention Partnership and Ochsner St. Anne Hospital this weekend to allow citizens to safely dispose of their prescription drugs.
Their event will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital.
During those hours, citizens may drop off unwanted medications to a collection station at the main entrance of the hospital, located at 4608 La. Highway 1 in Raceland.
The service is free and according to LPSO, no questions will be asked as citizens drop off their products.
LPSO said all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers are accepted.Liquid products, like cough syrup, should stay sealed in their original container. The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.Items that will not be accepted include intravenous solutions, injectable drugs and syringes. In addition to accepting medicine, citizens will leave with a gift.
Lafourche Prevention Partnership will be giving away free prescription drug lock boxes, as part of their Louisiana Partnership for Success Project. The boxes can be used inside the home to ensure the security of medications being used.
During last year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, more than 900,000 pounds of drugs were returned at 5,500 sites around the U.S. Since the event started in 2010, more than 8.1 million pounds of drugs have been collected.
The day was started as demand has increased to help citizens get rid of their unused and unwanted drugs.Statistics show that drugs that linger in a cabinet are more likely to be misused or abused and expired drugs are sometimes dangerous to keep around. In addition, flushing medicines can often provide a safety hazard.
LPSO offers free drug collection year-round at three locations – 200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux; 805 Crescent Avenue, Lockport and 102 West 91st St., Cut Off.
“We encourage citizens to clean out their medicine cabinets of unused medication, preventing any chance of misuse,” Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre said. “While we offer this service year-round, we are happy to partner with local organizations for this national event as we join thousands of other agencies around the country to help fight prescription drug abuse.”
In Terrebonne, The Houma Police Department, Louisiana State Police Troop C and Terrebonne General Medical Center are all participating in the take-back day. HPD has an event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in its training room for prescription drug drop-offs. LSP Troop C has a 24-hour drop box in its main lobby, but will also have an event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. specific to the day. TGMC will have an event featuring its MedSafe medication disposal program at the same time. The MedSafe receptacle is located in TGMC’s Medical Arts Building and is normally accessible Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
The MedSafe program accepts a number of over-the-counter drugs such as pills, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions and powders. It also accepts liquid medicines in quantities less than 4 oz., although they must be in their original containers, wrapped in a paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag. MedSafe does not accept aerosol spray cans, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, needles, or other things. For more information on MedSafe, call 873-4141.
