Drop off unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs at Take Back Day collection sites on Oct. 28

Law enforcement agencies from across Michigan and throughout the nation are helping residents dispose of unwanted medications responsibly during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Pharmacist empties pills from bottle into a box for disposal at 2019 Take Back Day on the Michigan Capitol lawn.

Help keep Michigan communities safe and healthy by disposing of unneeded medications in your home. Simply bring them to one of the 4,000 drop-off locations throughout the nation.

Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications. The following prescription and over-the-counter drugs will be accepted:

• Tablets.
• Capsules.
• Patches.
• Other solid forms.

Participating law enforcement agencies will not accept any of the following:

• Medications from physicians, veterinarians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or pharmacies and vapes from retailers will not be accepted.
• Liquid medications.
• Vitamin/supplements or personal care products, like hand sanitizers, shampoos, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.
• Needles/sharps or bio-hazardous materials containing blood and/or body fluids.
• Recreational or prescribed marijuana or marijuana products.

This nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft. Did you know? (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration)

• Unused or expired prescription medications are a public-safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
• Pharmaceutical drugs are just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision.
• The majority of those abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends, or the home medicine cabinet.
• Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused, or illegally sold. They also can contaminate groundwater or soil. Unused drugs that are flushed can contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

For more information regarding drug treatment and prevention, go to Michigan.gov/Opioids. To find additional, year-round drop-off locations that accept other medications, supplements, needles/sharps, etc., go to Michigan.gov/EGLEDrugDisposal and search EGLE’s Household Drug Take Back Web Map.