Turn in unused or unwanted prescription drugs at Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at the Walgreens at Paris Road and Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette

Sheriff James Pohlmann is urging people not to let their unused or unwanted prescription medications such as pain-killer pills fall into the wrong hands.

Instead, turn them in to the Sheriff’s Office this Saturday at the Walgreens parking lot at Paris Road and Judge Perez Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on National Drug Take-Back Day.

“This has been a highly successful program for us,’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Its aim is to get rid of unused or no longer needed drugs from medicine chests so no one else finds them and uses them or sells them on the streets,’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“Don’t let young people get hooked on pills they find while visiting you,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, and “don’t throw medication in the garbage where it can be found or down the toilet where it can end up affecting wildlife or seafood in marshes.’’

“Instead, bring any medication you don’t use to us so it can be destroyed properly.’’

The Take-Back Day is held in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and State Police efforts.

The effort is important, the sheriff said, because studies show young people often first abuse prescription drugs after stealing them from medicine chests at the homes of relatives or at parents of friends.
Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit officers will be at Walgreens to collect prescription medication. They can be brought in bottles or in bags.

Residents are reminded they can also call the sheriff’s 271-DOPE hot line (271-3673) at any time they want to turn in prescription drugs between official drug take-back days. A Narcotics Unit agent will call them back to make arrangements.

They should also call the sheriff’s 271-DOPE hot line anonymously at any time to report suspected illegal drug activity. All calls will be acted upon.