State Police Hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

DETROIT (WWJ) - Tired of all those unwanted and unused prescription drugs in your home? Michigan State Police is joining forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration on Saturday for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

State Police Captain Monica Yesh said Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.

"More that seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs and we have about 2,500 teens who use prescription drugs to get high for the first time every day. So, if we can get those prescription drugs out of medicine cabinets and get them off the streets, our public will be much safer," Yesh said.

MSP's 29 posts will participate in the one-day take back effort, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., by serving as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

"We're giving an opportunity to all of our citizens who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. It's not always safe to throw them in the garbage. We don;t encourage that and we don't encourage to put them down the drain either," Yesh said.

MSP Metro Detroit locations include:

Lansing Post
7119 North Canal Road
Lansing, 48913
(517) 322-1907

Flint Post
G-4481 Corunna Road
Flint, 48532
(810) 732-1111

Mount Pleasant Post
3580 South Isabella Road
Mt. Pleasant, 48858
(989) 773-5951

Jackson Post
3401 Cooper Street
Jackson, 49201
(517) 780-4580

Brighton Post
4803 Old US-23
Brighton, 48114
(810) 227-1051

Monroe Post
300 Jones Avenue
Monroe, 48161
(734) 242-3500

Metro Post
14350 West Ten Mile Road
Oak Park, 48237
(248) 584-5740

Additional collection sites across the state can be found by going to www.dea.gov.