NEW ORLEANS, LA – The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is the most
recent recipient of nine drug take back boxes thanks to a partnership led by
Attorney General Jeff Landry.
General Landry today joined NOPD Commander Jimmy Scott to announce the
placement of boxes at NOPD’s main headquarters and all eight district office
locations.
Through a partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
(BCBSLA) and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI),
General Landry is continuing his efforts to place a drug take back box in every
parish throughout Louisiana for citizens to have a safe and secure location to
drop off their unused or expired prescription drugs.
“Opioid addiction has increased dramatically throughout our communities,
unfortunately leading ordinary citizens on a path or destruction,” said General
Landry. “Fighting something as devastating and deadly as opioid abuse takes a
multi-dimensional approach, and I am grateful to have our law enforcement
partners standing with me as we work to rid our cities of drugs.
“These drug drop-off boxes are one more tool in our arsenal to help
tackle the opioid epidemic," said NOPD Deputy Chief Paul Noel. "Cooperation
between agencies, and between law enforcement and healthcare providers, is
essential in winning that fight. Today’s announcement is a step in the right
direction."
The drug take back locations for NOPD may be found here.
“We are proud that the New Orleans Police Department is taking yet
another step forward in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Dr. Joseph
Kanter, Director and Medical Director, New Orleans Health Department. “It is
imperative that everyone take the time to get rid of any unneeded prescription
drugs they have on hand to help reduce access to opioids. This is an example of
how it will take a multi-agency and multi-departmental approach to end this
epidemic.”
“We commend the New Orleans Police Department and area law enforcement
for their commitment to place secure drug drop boxes in all of their district
offices,” said Michael Tipton, head of Community Relations for Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Louisiana and president of the Blue Cross Foundation. “We’ve
worked with Attorney General Jeff Landry and Louisiana law enforcement agencies
to get more of these boxes installed around the state. These are a safe, easy
way for residents to get rid of leftover prescription drugs and prevent them
from being stolen, abused or misused.”
“The success of this resource has validated the need our communities had
for a safe and secure place to bring unnecessary drugs,” concluded General
Landry. “Both the opioid epidemic and crime epidemic are plaguing our State;
and my office is committed to fighting them both aggressively.”
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