SHREVEPORT, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry continues his efforts to
fight opioid abuse, misuse, and addiction as today he established Drug Take
Back Box locations in Northwest Louisiana.
At a press conference this morning - General Landry, Caddo Parish
Sheriff Steve Prator, and Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington teamed with
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) and the National Association
of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) in announcing drug take back boxes for
Northwest Louisiana residents to dispose of their unused and expired
prescription drugs.
“The opioid crisis has devastated thousands of families throughout our State, which is why I
am partnering with public and private entities to fight this horrible
epidemic,” said General Landry. “I am thankful Sheriffs Whittington and Prator
are helping us to get these drugs out of medicine cabinets and away from those
who may misuse them.”
“A large percentage of people who abuse prescription drugs get them
from the medicine cabinets of family and friends,” said Sheriff Prator. “Our
office always takes part in the national take back event, but having a drug
drop box available to our citizens year-round will provide a way for them to
safely dispose of unused prescriptions, keeping them out of the wrong hands.”
“This innovative effort by Attorney General Landry will allow us to
have a permanent drug take back box so Bossier Parish residents will have a
place where they can safely dispose of their medications anytime throughout the
week,” said Sheriff Whittington. “It’s not just an issue of having medications
in your bathroom cabinet that are expired – it’s a public safety issue aimed at
preventing accidental poisonings, overdose or abuse and about keeping our
communities safe.”
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge also joined General Landry at
today’s announcement, complementing the Louisiana AG for his initiative and
highlighting the success of similar efforts in our neighboring state.
“Arkansas has an extensive drug take back box network throughout our 75
counties, and the addition of these boxes to parishes across northern Louisiana
will be a great convenience for Arkansans who work or have friends and family
across the state line,” said General Rutledge. “I am proud of General Landry’s
leadership on this important issue. I know that he is committed, just as I am,
to tackling the prescription drug abuse epidemic that is spreading across our
states with an all-of-the-above approach that includes education, prevention
and treatment.”
In September, General Landry announced drug box locations for the
Northshore area in Southeast Louisiana. Today, he announced that boxes have
been placed at the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office (505 Travis Street,
Shreveport, LA 71101) and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office – Viking Drive
Substation (2510 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111). More locations
throughout the State are forthcoming - again, due to the partnership between
General Landry's office, BCBSLA, and NADDI.
“We are proud of the progress made through our partnership with
Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office and local law enforcement agencies to
give more Louisiana residents access to secure drug disposal boxes,” said
Michael Tipton, head of Community Relations for BCBSLA and president of the
Blue Cross Foundation. “We are encouraged by the support from our neighboring
state as we work together to promote prescription safety and lower the amount
of opioids and other drugs in our communities.”
Those seeking more information, treatment resources, and drug drop box
locations may visit www.EndTheEpidemicLA.org.
