Ochsner Take Back Drug Initiative Set for April 28th

Expired/Unused Drugs Being Collected

Many homes in South Louisiana have medicine cabinets stocked with expired or unused medications.  Ochsner Health System is providing a safe way to dispose of those unneeded medications by hosting a Take Back Initiativeon Saturday, April 28^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  All controlled, uncontrolled and over-the-counter medications will be collected and appropriately disposed of. Syringes and injectables will not be accepted.    

The National Take Back Initiative was started by the DEA in September of 2010 in response to the increasing rate of prescription medication abuse in America. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, approximately 2,500 teenagers abuse these medications daily.  The goal of the Take Back Initiative is to remove these substances from homes where they are easily accessible.  The firstTake Back Initiative resulted in 121 tons of pills being collected by nearly 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

“Ochsner has teamed up with local law enforcement to safely offer these drop off locations,” says Andy Boothe, Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge Pharmacy Director.  “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and remind everyone that the program is anonymous with no questions asked at the time of drop off.” Boothe says most medications do have an expiration date after which they should no longer be used.  Even everyday items such as cough syrups have a shelf life and should be disposed of properly.

The following Ochsner location in the Baton Rouge area will host a Take Back Initiative:

• Ochsner Health Center

16777 Medical Center Drive

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Physician Plaza 1, first building on the left under the over hang

 

Anyone wishing to dispose of their medications can simply drop them off at the above location.  Everyone is encouraged to remove any identifying information from medication bottles before disposing of them.