EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH — Local agencies are getting ready for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25. The goal of the bi-annual event is to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs.
The Zachary Police Department, Zachary Fire Department, Lane Regional Medical Center, and Set Free Indeed Ministries are all partnering for Saturday’s event. It’s scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Zachary Police Department on Old Slaughter Road.
Zachary’s event offers residents a safe, free, and anonymous way to get rid of expired prescription medications, which will help prevent drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental contamination. No questions will be asked during drop-off, and no liquid or sharps will be accepted.
“Proper medication disposal is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of substance misuse in our homes,” said Jassoni Martin, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy and Retail Services for Lane Regional Medical Center. “We’re proud to work alongside our local police and fire departments to make this possible for our community.”
There will also be food trucks on site so people can buy something to eat, and free goodie bags while supplies last.
“This initiative is about public safety, health, and education,” said Chief Darryl Lawrence,
Zachary Police Department. “By working together, we can prevent prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands.”
The Baton Rouge Police Department is also hosting an event on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BRPD headquarters on Airline Highway. You can drive through the covered front entrance and drop off your expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions from your vehicle.
You can find a list of participating locations in your area here. The DEA says collection sites are being added daily, so check back if you don’t see a location near you. UWK did a search and found collection sites in Plaquemine and Walker.
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