Statewide Drug Takeback Event Brings in Over One Ton of Unused Medications
On Saturday, April 28, Michigan residents in 17 counties had a chance to get opioids and other unused and expired prescription medicines out of their medicine cabinets through 27 simultaneous events held around the state. The collective effort resulted in hundreds of families safely removing a total of 2000+ pounds of medication, including approximately 54,000 opioids from their homes while also increasing awareness in the community about safe medication disposal.
The statewide effort is made possible by local partnerships with Michigan OPEN and healthcare organizations, law enforcement and community organizations. The Spring 2018 event tripled the amount of Take Back locations from the Fall 2017 event and tripled the amount of opioids removed from Michigan communities.
Michigan-OPEN works with partners to hold community opioid and medication take-back events twice a year. These events provide a safe process for disposing of unused medications in order to protect communities, children and the environment. When Take Back Event participants were asked how they disposed of medications prior to coming to the Event, more than 50% answered, “did not dispose,” highlighting the need for these community events.