The City of Wyoming and Metro Health-University of Michigan Health will help households across the community dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications safely and properly on Saturday, April 24 as part of National Drug Take Back Day.
The City of Wyoming and Metro Health are partnering to provide two drive-thru drop-off sites for community members to bring unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The drop-off locations are Metro Health Hospital, 2122 Health Drive SW, and Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Avenue SW. Staff will be on hand to anonymously accept medications, including controlled substances, with no questions asked.
National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual event promoted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Metro Health and the City of Wyoming continue to partner on this event twice each year to provide this service to the community. This past October, the Drug Take Back Day event took in 240 pounds of unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that were incinerated at the Kent County’s Waste to Energy Facility.
Both organizations recognize how community education can help protect the environment and reduce opportunities for prescription drug abuse, which continues to be a major public health concern in the country. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
“The Drug Take Back Day event is near and dear to my heart,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “During my career as a pharmacist, I saw the heartbreak that can occur when medication gets into the wrong hands. I encourage everyone to go through their medicine cabinets and bring any unwanted or expired medication to this event.”
The Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for community members to help prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
“I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinets and bring your unneeded prescription drugs to be disposed of safely,” said Pete Haverkamp, Director of Pharmacy, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “Something this simple can make our homes and community safer and help fight the opioid epidemic."
There are four year-round SafeMeds drop-off sites in Wyoming, including the Department of Public Safety facility. Community members can drop off prescription and over-the-counter medications 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW.
For more information about Wyoming’s National Take Back Day event and a list of SafeMeds drop-off sites, visit wyomingmi.gov/SafeMeds.