St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to hold drug take-back day

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann encourages residents to properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications on Saturday, Oct. 28 as the Sheriff’s Office participates in the annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back.

Narcotics officers with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office will accept unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the department’s substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi, near the corner of Aycock Street.

“Residents should take this opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and get rid of unused drugs so they don’t fall into the hands of youngsters who might misuse them or thieves who could sell them on our streets,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The initiative, part of a national effort spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, has seen more than 4.8 million pounds of prescription drugs collected since its inception in 2010.

St. Bernard residents who are unable to attend the local take-back event can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-DOPE or 3673 at any time to speak with a deputy about surrendering unwanted medications, Sheriff Pohlmann said. A narcotics officer will return the call and make arrangements to collect and destroy the drugs.