Rx collected during 5th Drug Take Back event

Local police collected hundreds of pounds of unwanted or expired medicine during the fifth Drug Take-Back event Saturday, Sept. 29.

The Sheriff's Safety Town in Shreveport filled 29 boxes for a total 503 pounds. That location collected the more prescriptions than any other Louisiana site during the April event.

The Tyler Police Department collected 11 boxes of expired medications.

All medications are given to the Drug Enforcement Administration for incineration.

Law enforcement agencies say the collections serve a dual purpose. First, they remove any excess prescriptions from medicine cabinets before they can end up in the wrong hands or for sale on the street. When people flush old pills down the drain, however, the medicine can contaminate the water supply.

If you missed the weekend event, stash old prescriptions in a safe place until the next DEA Take-Back collection in the spring.