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Saturday is “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” and Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Louisiana residents to participate in the numerous events occurring around the state.

“Overdose deaths surpassed a record-high during the pandemic, and thousands of Louisiana families are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” Landry said. “We can all do something to help reverse this tragic trend by participating in one of the many DEA events on Saturday.”

Landry is also warning Louisiana families of the danger of counterfeit drugs — many of which are laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.

“Prescription medicine should only be used under a doctor’s care, with a doctor’s prescription, and filled by a legitimate pharmacy,” Landry said. “And expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs should be removed from our homes and safely disposed.”

Nielsen’s Pharmacy, located at 1619 S. Columbia St. in Bogalusa, will be participating in the Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Accepted items include expired prescription drugs, unwanted prescription drugs, over-the-counter pills, and controlled and non-controlled substances. Non-accepted items include liquid products, injectable drugs and syringes.

This event is sponsored by the Bogalusa Police Department and ADAPT’s Partnership for Success.

The complete list of DEA events with full addresses and partnering law enforcement agencies may be found at takebackday.dea.gov.

Landry has also partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators to place nearly 80 permanent prescription drug drop boxes at law enforcement offices across 50 parishes in the state. If you are unable to attend an event on Saturday, Landry encourages you to use one of those at your earliest convenience. There is a box at the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office building in Franklinton.

The current list of all permanent drop boxes in the state may be found at www.endtheepidemicla.org.