Thousands of Unused Medications Returned Throughout Michigan for Medication Take Back Event
On Saturday, April 27 2019, Michigan residents in 34 counties brought opioids and other unused and expired prescription medications out to this spring’s Medication Take Back Event. The 54 simultaneous statewide events helped hundreds of families to properly dispose of a total of 3000 pounds of medication, including approximately 46,200 opioids. The event raises needed awareness in the community about safe medication disposal. The collective effort is made possible by local partnerships with the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (Michigan OPEN) and healthcare organizations, law enforcement, and community organizations.
“Our events are community-based, providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications thereby removing the risks associated with opioids from our communities.”
Dr. Chad Brummett, co-director of Michigan OPEN.
Michigan Medicine has added a medication disposal box at Taubman Health Center to provide an option to safely get rid of any unused or expired medications. Located on the second floor of the Taubman Health Center, in the Neurosurgery and Preoperative Clinic (Reception G) Room 2360. The disposal box is accessible during clinic hours, Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5:00pm.
The best practices for medication disposal are to use a permanent disposal box or visit a Medication Take Back Event. Click below to find disposal box locations throughout Michigan, the date of the next Medication Take Back Event, and how to bring a take back event to your community.