According to a 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health which was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration it was found that twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs when compared to the number of those who regularly used cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants. The same survey revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives including those that were unknowingly removed from medicine cabinets.
Often citizens who have been prescribed medications to treat a particular ailment and reach a point where they are left with medications that are no longer needed. These citizens often discard these medications in their trash or flush them down their drains. Some citizens may choose to hold onto the medications for future use despite. Each of these decisions come with a potential for risks.
Citizens are often unaware that the choice to discard these medications in the their trash grant an abuser with access to these medications which might be harmful and result in serious injury or death. Citizens might be unaware that flushing or washing the medications down a drain or burying them in a yard could result in these chemicals being inadvertently transferred to a water supply that could be harmful to others and the environment. Citizens might be unaware that holding onto medications for future use after their expiration dates has its own risks. Medications that are expired may not be effective, change over time, and can be stolen or misused by others that can access these medications (i.e. children, grandchildren, friends, etc.)
It is recommended that all medications that are prescribed (controlled substances or non-controlled substances) and over the counter medications be disposed of properly. Proper disposal of these medications ensure that they are not abused and contributing to the growing number of overdoses.
The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug would like to encourage the citizens of Natchitoches parish to dispose of their medications utilizing the NADDI Prescription Drug Drop Boxes that are located at the following locations:
Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office Main Office
200 Church St.
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Drop Off: M-F 8AM – 4:30PM
Natchitoches Police Department Main Office
400 Amulet St. Natchitoches.
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Drop Off: Everyday 24/7
These NADDI Boxes have been in place for years and have been utilized quite successfully by to the public. Medications can be brought to the above listed locations and dropped into the secure box and they will be properly destroyed at no cost to the citizen.
There are some basic protocols regarding what can be dropped off at these locations and they are listed below:
Controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter substances may dropped off.
Participation is anonymous and person dropping off medications will not be questioned or required to present identification.
Medications can be disposed of in its original container or by removing it from the container and disposing of it directly into the box. If the original container is used participants are encourage to remove any identifiers.
Liquid products, such as cough syrups should remain tightly sealed in its original container.
Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes will NOT be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.
