Prescribed Medication Drop-Off Slated April 30

If you have unused, prescribed medications laying around the house, consider making a trip to the to drop them off on April 30.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, the Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their second, one-day Controlled Substance Take-Back Initiative. This collaborative effort will safely and anonymously remove potentially dangerous controlled substances (any medication requiring a prescription) from homes across the nation. 

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 Take-Back 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 2010 Take-Back event held last September, the Farmington Hills Police Department collected over 130 pounds of prescription pills, which were then destroyed by the DEA.  Last year’s first-ever prescription drug Take-Back campaign was an overwhelming national success.  More than 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in for safe and proper disposal at over 4,000 Take-Back sites located in all 50 states.

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.

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