LPD and DEA to host drug take back event

This is a press release from the Laurel Police Department.

LAUREL, Miss. - On Saturday, October 28th from 10 until 2, the Laurel Police Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal to the Laurel Police Department located at 317 South Magnolia Street. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. This event addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

This is the 8th time that the Laurel Police Department has participated in such an event. The department collected approximately 600 pounds of prescription drugs during prior events.