You make a choice every day. Make the correct choice; don’t drink & drive!
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be highly visible and out enforcing the law to protect the community during the New Year’s. Deputies will be on the road patrolling the areas looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Celebrate the New Year responsibly by calling a friend, calling a taxi or by using a ride share app.
Today, Los Angeles County Sheriff Luna, Association for Safe Online Pharmacies, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, Crimestoppers, LAPD, Homeland Security, HALT, The National Intellectual Property Rights Center, and Danny Trejo came together to bring awareness on counterfeit medicines that kill people daily.
Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals are an ongoing problem, and everything must be done to protect the lives that are affected. The message that needs to be conveyed to the public is, “BAD MEDS KILL REAL PEOPLE.”
We want to encourage community members to make better decisions when buying their pharmaceuticals and to ensure they buy from legitimate sources to guarantee that the medicines they receive are authentic.
A Public Service Announcement starring actor Danny Trejo was created to connect with the public and spread awareness of counterfeit medicine’s dangers.
Alliance of Safe Online Pharmacies provided information during forensic lab testing revealing that four of every ten counterfeit pills contain a potentially lethal dose of harmful ingredients. In fact, according to The World Health Organization, more than one million deaths occur annually from counterfeit or substandard medicine and drugs. With the COVID-19 pandemic driving more than half of American consumers to purchase medicine online and 95% of the world’s 35,000 online pharmacies operating illegally, the risk of receiving “Bad Meds” is more significant than ever.
This is a serious issue for all of us and by coming together, we can save lives!
If you would like to report an instance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, Please report it here:
REPORT COUNTERFEIT PHARMACEUTICALS – Form
Or you can remain anonymous by calling Los Angeles-Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
Before You Buy, Verify. Beware of fraudulent and unsafe prescription medication sold on websites and social media platforms. Search for a website to see if it is safe or not recommended: https://safe.pharmacy/buy-safely/
Millions of us will be traveling to visit friends and family over the holidays. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone to have a holiday game plan that includes a designated sober driver.
During the pre-Christmas and New Year’s holiday season Nov. 30 till well past the New Year, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will have additional deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Tragically, there is an uptick in impaired drivers during the holidays. During the 2019 Christmas (Dec. 24-Dec. 26) and New Year’s Day (Dec. 28, 2018-Jan. 2, 2019) holiday periods, there were more drunk-driving related deaths (210) throughout the country than during any other holiday period in 2019.
“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and be safe,” Sergeant Robert Hill said. “The more people who plan ahead and find a safe, sober ride home from holiday parties and get togethers, the merrier.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that a “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs. Driving under the influence (DUI) can have serious consequences. Call a friend, call a cab, or use a ride share app but make the right call. Don’t Drink & Drive!
