St. Bernard Parish residents were given a chance to clear their homes of unwanted and potentially harmful medications during the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. According to a post by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, the event took place at Walgreens on W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette and aimed to safely dispose of unused or expired medications.
As informed residents began to arrive with their bottles of forgotten prescriptions, agents from the SBSO Narcotics Unit, Special Investigations Division were on hand to assist. They were to swiftly collect the medications, ensuring that they wouldn't become a part of any illicit drug activity, or accidentally consumed by youth or vulnerable adults in the community. "Getting rid of old medications the right way helps protect our kids, our community, and the environment,” Sheriff James Pohlmann said, according to the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office social media post. He underscored that the annual event serves not just an environmental purpose, but also one of community safeguarding.
While the Drug Take Back event occurs annually, the SBSO reminded citizens that they don't have to wait until next year to safely dispose of medications. For those who were unable to attend, a secure medication drop box is available year-round at the Sheriff’s Office substation on Paris Road in Chalmette. This drop box allows residents to anonymously discard their unused medicines at their convenience.
The sheriff expressed his hope that the event would contribute to a broader understanding and a more proactive approach amongst locals in preventing prescription drug misuse. “It’s a simple step that can make a big difference,” he mentioned on the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, encouraging a continuous, collective effort to maintain the safety of St. Bernard Parish.
