Prescription drug take back day scheduled for Nov. 21

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Prescription Drug Take Back Program on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program will take place at office headquarters, located at 260 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Cpl. James Grimaldi said in the past the sheriff’s office has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency on their drug take back program, but due to scheduling conflicts the agencies were not able to work together this time and the sheriff’s office created their own program.

“This event was established originally by the DEA to help combat drug addiction and thefts due to people having a stockpile of unused medication at their homes,” Grimaldi said. “Many people do not know what to do with their medication and don’t want to just throw it into the trash, so they just collect it. This becomes hazardous due to the clutter of unneeded medication, the threat of the medication falling into the wrong hands, or the mistake that medication may be taken for the wrong reason and result in an accidental overdose.”

Grimaldi said the take back program creates a convenient and free way for people to know their medications are being disposed of properly.

“We urge people to properly dispose of medication because flushing medication down the drain or throwing it into the trash can have negative results for the wildlife and/or environment,” he said.

Unused medication stored in cabinets can creates hazards too, Grimaldi said.

“All too often, your friends or family members you invite over may have unknown addictions, and many times medication will be stolen for ill intent,” he said. “Also, children or seniors tend to unintentionally take wrong medications, so by removing medications you don’t need any more there is less of a risk.”

Grimaldi said roughly 80 pounds of medication is taken in each time the program takes place, and that residents can bring in any prescription medications and not just those prescribed to them.

“Any medication at all is accepted … no questions asked,” he said. “Any drugs will be accepted and disposed of properly.”

Grimaldi said the medication is either turned over to the DEA of properly disposed of by means of an incinerator.