DETROIT (WWJ) - This spring, it's not only time to clean out your garage and closet, but also your medicine cabinet.
Saturday, April 27 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day -- a day where you can safely dispose of any prescription drugs you may have in your home that you no longer need.
Proper disposal helps the environment and also helps to keep medication from getting in the wrong hands. Collection sites will be located across the state, including at 30 Michigan State Police posts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All collected pills will be destroyed, with no questions asked. No liquids, inhalers, patches or syringes will be accepted.
"Taking a few minutes to go through your home and discard these medications is something small that can have a huge impact," Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, said in a statement. "The devastation caused by opioid and prescription drug abuse, accidental poisonings and overdoses is real. We urge you to do all you can to help us fight this crisis."
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held twice a year, in April and October. During the October 2018 effort, state police collected nearly 950 pounds of prescription drugs.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Further, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can pose safety and health hazards.
You can drop off unwanted prescriptions at the following MSP locations:
- Alpena Post -- 3283 W. Washington Ave., Alpena, MI 49707
- Brighton Post -- 4337 Buno Road, Brighton, MI 48114
- Cadillac Post -- 7711 S. U.S. 131, Cadillac, MI 49601
- Calumet Post -- 55195 N. U.S. 41, Calumet, MI 49913
- Caro Post -- 1485 Cleaver Road, Caro, MI 48723
- Flint Post -- 4481 Corunna Road, Flint, MI 48532
- Gaylord Post -- 563 S. Otsego, Gaylord, MI 49735
- Gladstone Post -- 922 Lake Shore Drive, Gladstone, MI 49837
- Hart Post -- 3793 W. Polk Road, Hart, MI 49420
- Houghton Lake Post -- 9011 W. Lake City Road, Houghton Lake, MI 48629
- Iron Mountain Post -- 1916 N. Stephenson, Iron Mountain, MI 49801
- Jackson Post -- 3401 Cooper St., Jackson, MI 49201
- Lakeview Post -- 10300 Howard City-Edmore Road, Lakeview, MI 48850
- Lansing Post -- 7119 N. Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48913
- Lapeer Post -- 975 S. Main St., Lapeer, MI 48446
- Marshall Post -- 714 Old U.S. 27 N., Marshall, MI 49068
- Metro North Post -- 14350 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237
- Metro South Post -- 12111 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180
- Monroe Post -- 300 Jones Ave., Monroe, MI 48161
- Mt. Pleasant Post -- 3580 S. Isabella Road, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
- Negaunee Post -- 180 U.S. 41 East, Negaunee, MI 49866
- Niles Post -- 1600 Silverbrook Ave., Niles, MI 49120
- Paw Paw Post -- 43255 60th Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079
- Rockford Post -- 345 Northland Drive, Northeast, Rockford, MI 49341
- Sault Ste. Marie Post -- 3900 I-75 BR, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
- St. Ignace Post -- N430 I-75, St. Ignace, MI 49781
- Tri-City Post -- 2402 Salzburg Road, Freeland, MI 48623
- Wakefield Post -- 100 Sunday Lake St., Wakefield, MI 49968
- Wayland Post -- 554 N. Main St., Wayland, MI 49348
- West Branch Post -- 496 E. Houghton, West Branch, MI 48661
Additional collection sites across the state can be found at dea.gov.
Anyone who is unable to participate on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day can anonymously surrender their prescription drugs at any state police post, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays.
