Drop off unwanted drugs April 24

Law enforcement agencies throughout Oakland County are urging residents to gather up their unused, expired and unwanted medication for proper disposal at the next Take Back Day, scheduled for April 24 at various sites.

This month’s event is the 20th since the Drug Enforcement Agency began holding them 10 years ago. Over the span, more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs have been collected, DEA Detroit is reporting. Last October’s drug take back day was record-setting, bringing in nearly 500 tons of drugs — including 94,000 pounds of drugs reported by the DEA’s Detroit Field Division, which encompasses Michigan, Ohio and parts of northern Kentucky. That, too, was a record, according to a news release from the DEA.

“With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential,” the news release stated.

Disposing of unwanted medication is also believed to be a vital step in curbing addiction and deaths from overdose.

“Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way the DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths,” DEA Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin stated in the news release. “Take Back Day is not only a great opportunity to rid your home of unused medication, but is also a time to have important conversations about proper use and storage of prescription medication.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 83,422 Americans overdosed during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020 — the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in deaths accelerated significantly during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the news release stated.

Tablets, capsules and other solid forms of prescription drugs are accepted at collection sites. What’s not accepted are liquids including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs. Vaping devices and cartridges are accepted at drop-off locations if lithium batteries are removed.

To find a drop-off site, visit the Collection Site Locator at https://takebackday.dea.gov/.

Many of the sites operate year-round as part of Operation Medicine Cabinet. For a list of those sites, go to https://www.oakgov.com/ sheriff/Community%20 Services/domestic/Pages/ Operation-Medicine-Cabinet.aspx