National Drug Take-Back Day

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative.

This one-day event is scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East
County Complex located at 2300 E. Grand River in Howell. Other county drop-off sites includes the  and the Hamburg Township Police Department.

This is a collaborative effort to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused prescription drugs and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of illegal use and pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

The initial event held last September yielded over 120 pound of prescription pills countywide.

Prescription drug abuse has been identified as one of the fastest growing drug problems in the U.S. today. More than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to a 2009 national survey.

The program is anonymous and residents are welcome to drop off solid dosage medications with no questions asked. Intravenous solutions, injection drugs, liquids, and needles will not be accepted.

In addition and going forward, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and MSP-Brighton will be offering the ability to drop off unwanted or expired prescription drugs within permanent drug disposal units located in the department’s lobbies.

This program was made available through the cooperation and efforts of the Livingston County Community Alliance and Mott Community College.

This press release was submitted by Kay Baker of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department.