How to dispose of medicine properly
Don’t flush drugs, take them to drop-off centers. There are national Prescription Drug Take Back events around the country.
Statesman Journal
The Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department and more will provide collection sites on Saturday, Oct.25, for “Take Back Day” for expired and unwanted prescriptions.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on the last Saturday of both April and October each year.
All 31 posts of the Michigan State Police will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, to take some unwanted medications off your hands as part of a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
It’s an opportunity to unload potentially dangerous drugs, clean out your cabinets and move on. The collected pills will be destroyed. “No questions asked,” according to the Michigan State Police.
Unfortunately, you cannot donate all types of medicine at Michigan State Police posts. “Liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes will not be accepted,” according to the state police.
You can go to Michigan.gov/MSPPosts to find a location near you. Some locations include the Michigan State Police posts in:
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency also offers online help to find locations near you for safely disposing prescription drugs. You can find drop-off sites at takebackday.dea.gov.
On Oct. 25, various local police departments also will provide services as part of Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some collection sites are away from police stations at local high schools and community centers.
Some Kroger stores will be participating to help consumers turn in unused or expired medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25, including the Sterling Heights store at 43893 Schoenherr Road and the Rochester Hills store at 65 S. Livernois Road.
Advocates of National Take Back Day note that opioid drugs, in particular, can trigger overdoses or accidental poisonings, as well as death.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on the last Saturday of both April and October each year.
“Taking a few minutes to clear out your medicine cabinet and properly dispose of expired and unused pills can make a real difference in preventing prescription drug abuse,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police in a statement.
The Michigan State Police points out that anyone unable to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day can anonymously surrender prescription drugs during the year at any MSP post, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X @tompor.