Blue Cross urges residents to participate in Drug Take Back Day

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is encouraging Michigan residents to dispose of expired, unwanted or unused prescription medications on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, a partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration and local agencies statewide, provides the public a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs and prevent pill abuse and theft, while educating about the potential for medication abuse.

Michigan ranks 10th in prescribing rates of opioid pain relievers and overdose deaths in our state reached a record high in 2017, with more than half being opioid-related. In addition, Americans have been advised that previous methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards.

In April, Americans turned in more than 470 tons (nearly 950,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,600 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events over nine years, the DEA and its partners have collected more than nine million pounds—4,900 tons—of pills.

The opioid epidemic continues to impact individuals and families across the nation. Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids, such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) or oxycodone (Oxycontin). Studies show most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. In a National Institute on Drug Abuse survey, nearly 80 percent of heroin users reported first abusing prescription drugs.

Locate a collection site near you or visit https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.6 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBluesPerspectives.com.