LANSING, Mich. — Michiganders cleaning out the medicine cabinet will have a drop-off spot in nearly every corner of the state this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 24, each of the 31 Michigan State Police posts will collect expired and unwanted prescription pills between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The collection is Michigan’s piece of the national Take Back Day for prescription drugs, now in its 31st round. The drop-offs are anonymous, and everything turned in will be destroyed with no questions asked.
There are limits on what troopers can take. Pills are fine. Troopers will turn away syringes, patches, inhalers and anything liquid.
The state police say getting rid of old medication keeps it from being misused, keeps it out of the wrong hands and protects the environment. Col. James F. Grady II, the agency’s director, described safe disposal in a statement as a simple step with a lasting effect on communities. Health officials also point to the risk of accidental poisonings and dosing mistakes when drugs linger in a home long after they are needed.
The program does draw a response. During last October’s collection, Michigan State Police posts gathered close to 650 pounds of pills.
People who cannot make it Saturday still have an option. Any state police post will take prescription drugs anonymously on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., holidays excepted. Post locations are listed at Michigan.gov/MSPPosts.
Section: More Lansing MI crime news
Filed under: Lansing MI Public Safety News
