LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Saturday, October 29th is the date that the Michigan State Police (MSP) is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other law enforcement agencies to host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The yearly event will be supported by all 30 MSP posts and the event will take place from 10 am to 2 pm. The MSP posts will be drop-off points for Michiganders to discard expired, unused and unwanted pills. These medications will be destroyed.
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No liquids, inhalers, patches or syringes are accepted.
The MSP statement on the event says, “Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Further, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose environmental and health hazards.”
MSP collection sites can be found here.
The DEA says that the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day “aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential abuse of medications.”
In April of 2022, during the 22nd National Take Back Day, Americans turned in over 721 pounds (360 tons) of prescription drugs.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram says of the program, “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important part of DEA’s efforts to fight the overdose epidemic and save lives. I encourage everyone across the country to dispose of unneeded medications throughout the year to help keep our communities safe and healthy.”
There’s another thing to think about which might not have come to mind – pet medications. Chances are, if you are a pet owner, that you have pet medications around your house because your pet has passed away, didn’t complete their medication schedule or you ended up with extra pills.
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A study conducted in 2018 by researchers at Oregon State University found that 60% of veterinary care professionals who were surveyed don’t advise their clients about how to dispose of their unused pet medications.
Those pet medications can be taken in on Drug Take Back Day as well. The best way to get rid of medications, whether pet or human medications, is to dispose of them during this time.
The program first started on September 25, 2010 after Congress approved an amendment to the Controlled Substances Act to develop a permanent process for people to safely and conveniently dispose of their prescription drugs.
