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It is no secret that opiate abuse, addiction, and overdose are creating a huge problem in Louisiana. The number of drug overdose deaths is rapidly skyrocketing, and it was heavily reported last year that Louisiana handed out more prescriptions for painkillers than there are residents in the state, according to data from the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity. Louisiana comes in sixth in the country for rate of prescriptions written per capita at 1.03 painkiller prescriptions written per resident in 2015 – a fact that has likely contributed heavily to the development of opiate addiction for thousands of Louisiana residents.
In response to this clear crisis, state government and local organizations are working together with the medical community to implement new strategies designed to get these pills off the streets. While doctors work to manage their prescribing practices much more closely and help patients who are clearly struggling with a drug abuse problem due to their pain management prescription, State Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking action as well.
Earlier this year, State Attorney General Landry brokered a deal with Pfizer, the drug company that makes Narcan, that would provide first responders across the state with access to that lifesaving medication in the form of single draw-down doses as needed at no cost.
This month, Landry continued to fight against opiate addiction across the state by beginning the process of installing drug take back boxes at local police departments. These boxes provide safe disposal sites free of charge and no questions asked to anyone who would like to get rid of extra medications that are either expired or unneeded.
Said Landry: “By utilizing these drug take back boxes, we can and we will make our homes and our communities safer.”
Why Drug Take Back Boxes Matter
Too often, physicians overprescribe a painkiller after an acute injury or surgery. Patients go home with a month’s supply of Percocet or Lortab when they only needed a few days’ worth of the drug. Either they use the full prescription unnecessarily and struggle with stopping use of the drug, or they leave the unused medication in the cabinet where it may be abused later – by teens or adults looking to experiment, relax, or manage an ache or pain. Because it is not appropriate to flush unwanted to pills or throw them in the trash where they will ultimately end up in groundwater, people often hold onto them indefinitely or hope they notice the next time a Drug Take Back Day is sponsored in the community. But in a few locations in Monroe and Ruston, that is no longer the case.
Said Landry: “This gives people an opportunity to take those drugs out of their medicine cabinets and deposit them safely, knowing they will be destroyed in a safe environment.”
The boxes are permanent and will be located at:
- Monroe Police Department at 700 Wood St., Monroe, La.
- Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 400 St. John St., Monroe, La.
- Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office at 161 Road Camp Rd., Ruston, La.
Prescription Drugs Are Not Inherently Safe
Part of the risk of prescription painkillers is that they appear to be “safe” for any and all use because they are legal, approved by a doctor, and dispensed by a pharmacist. While all those things are true, they are true with limits. For example, while prescription painkillers are legal, they are only legal when they are used exactly as prescribed by the person they were prescribed for. They are not safe or legal when:
- Crushed and swallowed or snorted
- Used by someone other than person who got the prescription
- Used for any reason outside the original need for the prescription
- Used in combination with other substances, such as other prescription drugs or legal substances, including alcohol
- Used under false pretenses or fraud (e.g., feigning pain symptoms or “doctor shopping” to get multiple scripts from multiple doctors to treat the same ailment)
Now, with drug take back boxes installed – and hopefully, more to come – there will be one less factor contributing to the rates of prescription painkiller abuse, overdose, and addiction in Louisiana.
The Problem with Unused Medications
Unused medications can pose a serious problem. They can be accidentally consumed by children or pets, or they can be intentionally misused by individuals seeking to abuse prescription drugs. In fact, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 6 million Americans misused prescription drugs in 2019.
Additionally, many people simply don't know how to safely dispose of their unused medications. Flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can contaminate the environment and harm wildlife.
The Solution: Drug Take Back Boxes
Drug take back boxes are a safe and convenient solution to the problem of unused medications. These boxes are typically located in pharmacies, hospitals, and other community locations. People can drop off their unused medications in these boxes, ensuring that they are safely disposed of and kept out of the wrong hands.
Drug take back boxes are an important tool in the fight against drug abuse and addiction. By providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications, they help to prevent these drugs from ending up in the hands of individuals seeking to abuse them.
The Impact on Communities
Drug take back boxes have had a significant impact on communities across the country. In 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) collected over 900,000 pounds of unused medications through their National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events. This represents a significant amount of medication that is no longer at risk of being misused or abused.
But drug take back boxes aren't just important for preventing drug abuse and addiction. They also have environmental benefits. By keeping medications out of the trash and out of our water supply, we can help protect our environment and wildlife.
How to Locate a Drug Take Back Box in Your Community
Locating a drug take back box in your community is easy. Many pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations have them available for public use.
One way to find a drug take back box near you is to use the DEA's website. They have a search tool that allows you to enter your zip code and find nearby locations where you can safely dispose of your unused medications.
Another option is to check with your local government or health department. They may have information about where drug take back boxes are located in your area.
It's important to note that not all drug take back boxes accept the same types of medications. Some may only accept prescription medications, while others may also accept over-the-counter medications and other substances. Make sure to check with the location before dropping off any medications.
By taking the time to locate a drug take back box in your community, you can help prevent drug abuse and addiction while also protecting the environment.
The Importance of Educating the Public
While drug take back boxes have become more prevalent in recent years, many people still don't know about them or understand their importance. This is why educating the public about drug take back boxes is so crucial.
By raising awareness of these boxes and their purpose, we can encourage more people to use them. This can help prevent unused medications from being misused or abused, and it can also protect our environment.
One way to educate the public about drug take back boxes is through community outreach programs. Local organizations can host informational sessions or distribute flyers and brochures that explain what drug take back boxes are and how they work.
Pharmacies and other locations that have drug take back boxes can also play a role in educating the public. They can post signs or provide informational materials to customers who may not be aware of the service.
Ultimately, it's up to all of us to spread the word about drug take back boxes and their importance. By doing so, we can make our communities safer and healthier for everyone.
The Impact of Drug Take Back Programs on Reducing Opioid Addiction Rates
Opioid addiction is a serious problem in the United States, with over 47,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2018 alone. One of the key ways to combat this epidemic is through drug take back programs.
By providing a safe and easy way for individuals to dispose of their unused prescription opioids, drug take back programs can help reduce the availability of these drugs for misuse and abuse. This can ultimately lead to lower rates of addiction and overdose.
In fact, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that counties with more frequent drug take back events had lower rates of opioid-related hospitalizations than those with fewer events.
Drug take back programs also play an important role in preventing individuals from transitioning from prescription opioids to illicit opioids like heroin. Many people who become addicted to opioids start by misusing prescription drugs before turning to street drugs as their tolerance increases and their access to prescriptions decreases.
By reducing the availability of prescription opioids through drug take back programs, we can help prevent this transition and ultimately save lives.
Partnering with Law Enforcement Agencies
Partnering with local law enforcement agencies can be an effective way to promote drug take back programs in your community. These agencies often have a strong presence and credibility in the community, which can help raise awareness about the importance of safe medication disposal.
By working together, law enforcement agencies and drug take back programs can also help prevent prescription drug theft and diversion. Many individuals who abuse prescription drugs obtain them through theft or by diverting them from legitimate sources such as family members or friends.
Through education and outreach efforts, law enforcement agencies can inform the public about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and encourage them to safely dispose of their unused medications. They can also work with local pharmacies and healthcare providers to ensure that they are properly disposing of their unused medications.
In addition, partnering with law enforcement agencies can help increase participation in drug take back events. By providing a visible presence at these events, law enforcement officers can help reassure individuals that their medications will be disposed of safely and securely.
Overall, partnering with local law enforcement agencies is a valuable strategy for promoting drug take back programs and preventing prescription drug abuse in our communities.
Conclusion
Drug take back boxes are an important tool in the fight against drug abuse and addiction. They provide a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of their unused medications, while also helping to protect the environment. By supporting drug take back programs, we can all help make our communities safer and healthier.
