David C Joseph, Opioid Epidemic Crackdown, Louisiana 2024

SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. — The federal government is hitting back at the opioid epidemic with a no-questions-asked crackdown on unsecured prescription drugs. On Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the DEA and U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph are leading the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the Western District of Louisiana. The operation targets the silent killer lurking in millions of American homes: expired, unused, and dangerous prescription pills.

The initiative gives residents a free, anonymous way to dump potentially lethal medications at collection sites from Shreveport to Lake Charles. These drugs—often opioids, sedatives, and stimulants—don’t just sit idle. They’re stolen from medicine cabinets, shared among friends, or swallowed by kids who don’t know what they’re taking. ‘Unused prescription drugs often make their way into the hands of those who abuse them or children who might accidentally take them,’ warned Joseph. ‘Dispose of these dangerous substances now.’

The DEA’s New Orleans Field Division is sounding the alarm. Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley called prescription drug abuse ‘the nation’s fastest growing drug epidemic.’ Last year, opioid overdoses killed more Americans than meth, cocaine, and hallucinogens combined. Byerley laid blame where much of it belongs: the home. ‘These prescription drugs are most often obtained from friends and family,’ he said. ‘DEA’s Take-Back initiative provides citizens an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.’

The numbers don’t lie. In October alone, Americans dumped 457 tons—914,236 pounds—of pills at more than 5,800 collection sites nationwide. Louisiana contributed 3,615 pounds. Since the program began, DEA and its law enforcement partners have seized over 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of unused pills. Every tablet collected is one less chance for addiction, theft, or death.

Drop-off sites across the Western District include the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Safety Town in Shreveport, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Public Safety Complex, Alexandria Police Department, Lake Charles Police Civic Center, and the Monroe Police Department. Liquids, needles, and sharps won’t be accepted—only pills and patches. For locations, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call 800-882-9539.

The CDC reports 46 Americans die every day from opioid overdoses. The battle starts at home. Parents, educators, and community members are urged to visit www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, and www.dea.gov to learn the truth about prescription drug danger. This Saturday, the message is clear: lock it up, or turn it in—before it kills.

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