Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26
The United States is currently experiencing an epidemic of prescription drug misuse and abuse. Opioid overdose deaths in Michigan have almost tripled in five years. To help combat this epidemic, Michigan OPEN is partnering with hospitals, pharmacies, community organizations and police departments around the state to host medication take back events on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Research has found that about 70 percent of the opioids prescribed for surgery go unused and those medications are not disposed of. This increases the potential for these medications to be diverted back into the community or contaminate waterways. However, Michigan OPEN’s efforts with take back events have led to more than 9,600 pounds of unused medications and approximately 172,700 opioids being collected and properly disposed of.
Take back events provide a safe process for disposing of unused medications while protecting our communities, children and environment. This fall, there are 80 sites across 46 counties participating in Michigan, and four sites in Indiana. Remove the risk from your home and bring any unused opioids to a take tack event in your community.
Find take back event locations throughout Michigan and Indiana here.