By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Myths still circulate about the best way to safely dispose of medicines and prescription drugs, but truth be told, there is only one way to safely dispose of unused and leftover medications, through a take back program.
If is why the Drugs Enforcement Administration came up with the National Prescription Drug Take Day program, which is offered in the fall and the spring. The program aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
The spring day is Saturday, April 27, with both the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Kentwood Police Department hosting take back sites. These sites will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Metro Health
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety has once again partnered with Metro Health to provide two locations, one at Metro Health, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, and at the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW. Both the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Metro Health Cancer Pharmacy, 5950 Metro Way, SW, do offer year around drop off for medicines.
“Metro Health — University of Michigan Health is proud to provide this service to the community,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Floyd Wilson, Jr. “Returning unused or expired medicines is the responsible thing to do. Proper disposal of expired or unused drugs is a matter of public safety and public health.
“When drugs are thrown away or flushed, the chemicals in them can get into our water supply and soil. Additionally, it can be dangerous for individuals to use expired medicines or creams. By providing this service to the West Michigan community, we are all working together to keep our homes and families safe.”
Because Metro Health is also a SafeSharps site, residents will be able to dispose of sharps there. “Sharps” is the term for medical devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin. if these items are placed in the trace, they can injure you, your family or others who handle the trash. Kent County residents who use sharps on a regular basis should visit a Kent county Health Department clinic to pin up an approved container to take home. For more information about the SafeSharps program visit reimaginetrash.org.
Kentwood Police Department
The Kentwood Police Department will be hosting a Take Back event at its headquarters, 4742 Walma Ave. Se. This site will only be able to accept pills or patches. No other items will be accepted at the Kentwood location.
For the event, medications do not have to be in original containers. If they are in original containers, confidential bins will be used to dispose of those containers.
The DEA requires the presence of law enforcement at the Drug Take Back Day events. No questions will be asked of anyone bringing in any type of medication at any Drug Take Back location. Furthermore, no paperwork is required and no signatures are collected.
Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 460 tons or more than 900,000 pounds of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Since starting the program in 2010, the DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11 million pounds or nearly 5,500 tons of pills.
