On Saturday April 28th, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 15th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.  The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  This program is for liquid and pill medications.  Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal.  This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Once again, the Indiana State Police are pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, the drugs may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except the Toll Road Post.  The event will be on Saturday, April 28th, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.   

Also, the Indiana State Police will host a drop off site on Friday, April 27th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the Indiana Government Center North public entrance off of Robert Orr Plaza in Indianapolis.  This is between the government north and south buildings, immediately west of the State Capitol building.

To locate the state police post closest to your home or business, click this link for Indiana State Police on the Map.

To find other locations in Indiana or across the U.S. that are participating in the Drug Take Back initiative, click this link to the DEA.

The Drug Take Back events are the safe, popular and a responsible way for the public to legally dispose of prescription drugs. No questions asked.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will close State Road 335 between S.R. 60 at New Pekin and U.S. Highway 150 near Greenville next Tuesday and Wednesday (MAY 1 & 2), weather permitting, while maintenance crews chip seal 20 lane miles of north-south roadway. 

Motorists will be routed around the S.R. 335 closure via Voyles Road.  INDOT pilot vehicles will escort school buses and local traffic through the worksite. 

The surface treatment operation is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday—moving southward from S.R. 60.  On Wednesday morning, the northbound lane of S.R. 335 will be chip sealed beginning at U.S. 150.  

Chip seals coat the pavement with liquid asphalt—sealing cracks and protecting the roadbed from harmful ultraviolet rays.  This extends service life and lowers maintenance costs.  It also helps prevent late-winter/early-spring potholes.  Small chips of limestone restore surface friction for skid resistance, maneuverability and driver safety.   

A fog seal of liquid asphalt spray will be applied at a later date.

Yesterday, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, along with the Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), arrested Laurie Best, 50 of Ellettsville at her residence on multiple drug related offenses.  Through their investigation, troopers obtained information that Best was involved in dealing methamphetamine from her rural residence.  The investigation led troopers to receive an issued search warrant through Monroe County for the property.

ISP DES, with the assistance of Sgt. Greg Day, Trp. Allen Deel, Trp. Jon Patrick and Trp. Caleb Garvin executed the search warrant just before 8:00 PM.  During the search, troopers recovered approximately 37 grams of methamphetamine, which was prepackaged and ready for sale.

Best, who was already out on bond from a previous unrelated Level 2 Dealing Methamphetamine offense (also made by ISP), was arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams (Level 4 Felony), and Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony).

Best was incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail and was released after posting bond.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

Yesterday, shortly after 11:00 pm, an Ohio man was arrested on numerous charges after he fled from officers in a vehicle and later on foot after crashing the vehicle he was driving.

The incident began when troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were notified that a wanted person, Caleb E. L. Ludwick, age 25, Cleves, Ohio was traveling westbound on I-74, entering Indiana from Ohio.  Ludwick was reported to be driving a gold Cadillac passenger car.  The vehicle exited I-74 in Dearborn County and traveled westbound on US 52 towards Brookville, Indiana. 

Trp. Kyle Stovall observed the vehicle traveling westbound on US 52 near Big Cedar Road in Franklin County and attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Ludwick initially pulled over for Trp. Stovall.  Prior to being taken into custody, Ludwick fled westbound on US 52 towards Brookville in the vehicle.  Trp. Stovall and numerous other officers pursued Ludwick as he traveled through Brookville before he turned into the Riverfront Apartments on Fairfield Avenue.

Ludwick’s vehicle crashed into two unattended parked vehicles as he fled on foot into an apartment building.  Trp. Stovall and Franklin County Deputies pursued him and caught up as Ludwick entered an apartment where he had been known to stay.  He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Ludwick was transported to the Franklin County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Reckless Driving.  Ludwick is also being held on a Hamilton County, Ohio warrant for Distributing a Controlled Substance.

He is being held pending his initial appearance in court in Franklin, County.  After facing charges in Franklin County, Ludwick will be transferred back to Hamilton County, Ohio to face an initial appearance on those charges.

The injuries to Ludwick’s face (arrest photo) occurred during an altercation prior to him coming into contact with law enforcement and were not caused by law enforcement.  

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department, and the Brookville Police Department.