Community Partners Collected More Than a Ton of Medications at DEA Drug Take Back Day
Baton Rouge event on April 26 was one of the highest collection sites nationwide

(Baton Rouge, LA) — Representatives from the local U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Baton Rouge area law enforcement, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and other Baton Rouge Health District partner organizations held a record-breaking Drug Take Back Day event on April 26. 

Volunteers collected more than a ton – 2,075 pounds  –  of old, unused and expired medications in just four hours through a drop-off site at Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) headquarters. DEA confirmed the BRPD event was the largest amount of drugs collected at any Drug Take Back Day site in Louisiana and was one of the highest-grossing collection spots in the country. 

BRPD and community partners host a Drug Take Back Day event twice a year, in April and October. Previously, the highest amount of drugs collected at the BRPD Drug Take Back Day site was more than 1,000 pounds. The April 26 event doubled this record. 

According to Louisiana Blue Special Investigations Manager Kandyce Cowart, substance abuse often begins in the home medicine cabinet. Giving families an opportunity to clean out their old, unused and unwanted prescription drugs or medications and turn them in for proper disposal makes the community safer. 

“I am thrilled by the community’s response to DEA’s Drug Take Back Day,” Cowart said. “This is more than a ton of drugs that are now out of homes and off the streets. That prevents those drugs from being stolen, abused or taken by accident.” 

BRPD, local law enforcement and local healthcare partners will host a fall Drug Take Back Day event in October. 

Louisianians have year-round options for safe drug disposal through a partnership between Louisiana Blue and the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General to place secure drug drop boxes around the state. There is at least one drop box in all 64 parishes. The drop boxes are installed within law enforcement agencies to give people a safe way to drive up, drop off and get the drugs out of their homes. Visit lablue.com/safedrugdrop to see a list of secure drug drop box locations. 
About Louisiana Blue

Louisiana Blue is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying not-for-profit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We have been recognized for the past six years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at lablue.com or talk to us on social media @MyLouisianaBlue.