Farmington Hills Police, DEA Offer Drug Take-Back Collection on April 28

If you have expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs in your home, the and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offer an opportunity to dispose of them on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents of any city can use the DEA-provided collection box that will be located inside Farmington Hills Police Headquarters at 31655 Eleven Mile Road for the one-day Controlled Substance Take-Back Initiative event. The drop off and pick up of pharmaceuticals will be supervised by officials from both the DEA and the Police Department. Pharmaceuticals do not need to be in original labeled packaging, any type of container is acceptable. Disposal of the materials will be accomplished in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

During the Farmington Hills 2011 Take-Back event, the Police Department collected 44 pounds of prescription pills, which were then destroyed by the DEA. Nationally, more than 188.5 tons of unwanted or expired medications were disposed of at 5,327 take-back sites in all 50 states and U.S. territories. 

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates that there are over 6 million non-medical users of psychotherapeutic drugs in the United States. The survey shows that more Americans abuse psychotherapeutic drugs than the number of cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogen abusers combined. Expired, unused or unwanted controlled substances in homes are a potential source of supply that fuels this abuse and are an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

For more information, call the FHPD Investigative Bureau at 248-871-2770.