Prescription drug ‘take back’ Day is Saturday
Upper Michigan posts of the Michigan State Police (MSP) will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other local law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to provide a venue for citizens to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.
The following MSP posts across the U.P. are part of the 29 posts participating in the collection. They include Calumet, Gladstone, Iron Mountain, Negaunee, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Wakefield.
The one-day ‘Take-Back’ effort between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26, by serving as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. No liquids, inhalers, patches, or syringes are to be accepted. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
“Our 29 post across the state will serve as drop-off points allowing citizens a safe and confidential way to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “The Michigan State Police is pleased to yet again partner with the DEA to prevent pill abuse and theft by helping residents rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
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.
Many local police agencies are also taking part in the collection.