Don’t Flush Those Pills! Saturday is Drug Take Back Day in Michigan

Got medication to get rid of? Drop it off at Michigan State Police posts this Saturday.

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MSP and law enforcement agencies across the country 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.

You can bring meds to any of 4,000 drop-off locations throughout the nation, including Michigan State Police posts. You can find the post nearest you here.

Drug 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

Drugs that are not 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 and to promote the safe disposal of drugs.

Why You Shouldn't Throw Away or Flush Prescription Drugs

The Department of Environment Quality does not recommend flushing medications as they can pollute our water and harm animals and people:

When flushed or thrown-out, these drugs end up in our coastal ecosystems; and all the chemicals in those little pills that were once working together to make us feel better, are now dissolving in our waterways where they can negatively impact aquatic animals

Tossing drugs in the trash could also lead to the medication finding its way into out water systems, and it could create an opportunity for illegal use or accidental poisoning.