National Prescription Take Back Day Oct. 29

The Michigan State Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other local law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to provide a venue for citizens who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

MSP’s 29 posts will participate in the one-day ‘Take Back’ effort between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, by serving as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

“We encourage citizens to take advantage of the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted or unused prescription drugs,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “Take Back Day helps prevent potential dangers that the misuse of these drugs can cause.”

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Many community police departments, including the Marquette P-D will serve as a collection site in addition to the following MSP sites:

Chippewa County-Sault Ste. Marie Post

3900 I-75 BR

Sault Sainte Marie, 49783

(906) 632-2217

Delta County-Gladstone Post

922 Lake Shore Drive

Gladstone, 49837

(906) 428-4412

Dickinson County-Iron Mountain Post

1916 North Stephenson

Iron Mountain, 49801

(906) 774-2122

Gogebic County-Wakefield Post

100 Sunday Lake Street

Wakefield, 49968

(906) 229-5372

Houghton County-Calumet Post

55195 North US Highway 41

Calumet, 49913

(906) 337-5145

Mackinac County-Saint Ignace Post

N430 I-75

St. Ignace, 49781

(906) 643-7582

Marquette County-Negaunee Post

180 US-41 East

Negaunee, 49866

(906) 475-9922