Skip to main content
Michigan OPEN
Michigan OPEN
Programs

Medication Disposal Pouches

You know the importance of Safe Storage + Disposal for medications – now it’s time to empower others! Apply today for free case(s) of medication deactivation pouches to distribute via your organization. OPEN will purchase the products and ship them directly to approved community partners.

OPEN partners with Deterra to provide secure medium-sized medication deactivation pouches for an easy, at home medication disposal option. Unused medication can be disposed of by inserting into the 5″ x 8″ x 2.5” medium pouch, adding warm water, and dropping the pouch in a regular garbage bin. For more detailed instructions on how to use the pouch, watch this tutorial video.

 One case includes 200 pouches, weighs 27 pounds, and measures 20” x 16” x 11”.

Apply Now

Award Opportunity- Deterra deactivation pouches, each case containing 200 pouches, up to two cases.
Eligibility Requirements- Organizations must be based in Michigan.
- Two staff contacts per organization.
- Commitment to completion of a brief program evaluation survey.
Reporting Requirements- Completion of a 3-month follow up survey.
Notification of Award- OPEN will be reviewing applications on a quarterly basis. See the schedule below to learn more about the application quarters and award notification dates.
- The application for this program will remain open throughout the year. Awards will be communicated by email based on the quarter in which the application was submitted.
Application QuarterAward Email Notification
January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025May 2025
April 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025August 2025
July 1, 2025- September 30, 2025November 2025
October 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025February 2026

Apply Now

  1. Applicant Full Name
  2. Applicant Title
  3. Applicant Email 
  4. Secondary Contact Full Name
  5. Secondary Contact Email
  6. Organization Name
  7. Website
  8. Organization Mission 
  9. Organization Street Address
  10. Is the shipping address the same?
    • If no, enter shipping address
  11.  County 
  12. Which best describes the population you work with?
    •  Primarily serves underserved populations or those at higher risk of overdose, such as people with substance use disorders, LGBTQ+, rural communities, communities of color, people with disabilities or economically disadvantaged groups.
    • Serves a significant portion of underserved or high-needs populations but also includes general populations.
    • Primarily serves general populations with limited focus on underserved or high-needs groups.
  13.  Please describe any partnerships you have with other organizations or community groups that could enhance delivery of this program.
  14. Has your organization received support from any of OPEN’s programming (Medication Take Back Day Support, Permanent Medication Disposal Box, Naloxone Distribution + Vending Machines, Community Naloxone Kit Distribution, Medication Disposal Pouches, Locking Pill Bottles) 
    • Yes
    • No
  15.  What specific gaps in your community needs will distribution of SAFE Storage + Disposal kits help fill?
  16. Does your organization have structures in place to encourage safe medication storage & disposal (Educational materials, safe storage products, safe disposal products, etc.)?
    • Yes
    • No
  17.  Select the option that best describes your plan for distributing safe storage + disposal kits.
    • Direct distribution to patients in clinics/community organization
    • Indirect distribution to patients (Ex- Freely accessible in public areas)
    • Distribution at community events
  18.  How many safe storage + disposal kit cases are you requesting (up to 5 cases)? Each case contains 50 kits.
    • 1 case
    • 2 cases
    • 3 cases
    • 4 cases
    • 5 cases
  19. Questions / comments
  20. Acknowledgements:
    • Our organization’s mission is to provide care and prevent harm to our communities. We will use the materials and resources provided in this program opportunity towards this intended purpose only and understand that these products are not eligible for resale.
    • Our organization will commit to completing the required reporting and evaluations.
  21.  How did you hear about OPEN’s programming?
    • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
    • OPEN Newsletter
    • Conference
    • Google Search
    • Other – write in
  1. Organization name
  2. Name of project lead
  3. How many medication disposal pouches has your organization distributed so far?
  4. Who were the primary recipients of the distributed pouches?
  5. What strategies did you use to distribute the pouches? (For example, direct handout at clinics, through community organizations, community events) 
  6. What aspects of your distribution process worked particularly well?
  7. What challenges or barriers did you encounter during pouch distribution?
  8. What strategies, if any, did you use to educate recipients about safe disposal of medications? (For example, written materials, verbal counseling, group sessions)
  9. Did you receive feedback from recipients about the pouches? If yes, please describe the feedback you received (positive or negative).
  10. Are there any experiences or stories you would like to share regarding distribution or recipient feedback?
  11. Do you have any additional feedback about the medication disposal products or your partnership with OPEN?

Q: Do we have to distribute all of the disposal products before submitting the end-of-project report? 

A: No. We hope that the products get used promptly but it is not required to complete distribution by the end of the project period.

Q: If we distribute all of the disposal pouches, can we request more?

A: Yes! Please submit the application a second time to apply for additional disposal pouches. 

Q: Do the deactivation pouches expire?

A: No, the pouches do not expire and can be stored at your organization.

Q: Do you have sharable materials I can use for marketing?

A: Yes! Awardees will receive additional resources and marketing materials in their welcome package email.