HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — National Drug Take-Back Day is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
Among the locations where people can bring any medications for safe disposal:
- Holland Department of Public Safety, 89 W. 8th St., in Holland
- Zeeland Police Department, 29 W. Main Ave., in Zeeland
- Holland Hospital, 602 Michigan Ave., Holland
- Ottawa Co. Public Health, 12251 James St., # 500, Holland
- Walgreens, 494 Butternut Drive, Holland
- North Ottawa Community Hospital, 1309 Sheldon Rd., Grand Haven
- Hudsonville Fire Dept., 3275 Central Blvd., Hudsonville
- Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety, 2869 Mno Bmadzewen Drive, Shelbyville
- Michigan State Police Post, 544 N. Main St, Wayland
- Allegan Co. Sheriff’s Office: 640 River St, Allegan
People should remove or block out personal information or dump all pills into a plastic bag. No sharpies or needles will be accepted.
Twice a year, police agencies host a take-back day. In April, the 15th national event included 4,683 participating agencies at 5,842 sites and drew 949,046 pounds — 474.5 tons — to medications for safe disposal.
Taking back unused drugs is one way to reduce misuse, particularly of opioids. In Michigan, opioid misuse killed 2,710 people between May, 2017, and May, 2018, according to the most-recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control figures. Between 2014 and 2107, opioid-overdose deaths doubled in Ottawa County, according to county figures.
These events are one way to get unused or unneeded medications out of households where they may fall into the wrong hands. To learn more, visit takebackday.dea.gov.
Family members and friends of opioid addicts can help reduce overdose deaths with training on using Naloxone (Narcan®) — a prescription drug that can reverse opioid effects. Free training is available through the Grand Rapids Red Project. Learn more here: thredproject.org/services.
