Community

Community Invited to Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Spectrum Health and Families Against Narcotics host drop-off site

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 17, 2018 – Spectrum Health Healthier Communities and Families Against Narcotics Grand Rapids Chapter will be collecting unused and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Healthier Communities (Widdicomb Building), 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.

Citizens are invited to stop by to dispose of expired prescriptions and other unwanted or unneeded medications. This free and anonymous public service is part of the 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is just one way Spectrum Health is addressing the opioid crisis. We are pleased to be working with other local health care providers, law enforcement and Families Against Narcotics to help those who are struggling with addiction and to educate community members on how they can help curtail this epidemic,” said Ken Fawcett, Vice President of Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.

“In responding to this epidemic, prevention is key,” said Jeanne Kapenga, founder of FAN’s chapter in Grand Rapids. “Community members can do their part by cleaning out medicine cabinets and bringing unused medications to any of the safe disposal sites. We need help from the entire community to successfully battle narcotics addiction.”

The Grand Rapids Police Department will oversee the drug collection and ensure the drugs collected are disposed of in an appropriate manner. The DEA advises the public not to flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash because those methods of disposal pose potential safety and health hazards.

The list of locations sponsored by area hospitals or law enforcement agencies includes:

  • East Grand Rapids Public Safety, 770 Lakeside Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506
  • Grand Rapids Police Department, 1 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids
  • Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE, Kentwood
  • Lowell Police Department, 111 N. Monroe, Lowell, 49331
  • Metro Health University of Michigan Health, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming
  • Michigan State Police, Rockford Post, 345 Northland Dr. NE, Rockford
  • Rockford Department of Public Safety, 7 S. Monroe St. NE, Rockford
  • Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
  • Wyoming Police Department, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW, Wyoming

During the last National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 5,321 sites across the country collected a total of 456 tons of prescription drugs and medical supplies, including 20,364 pounds in Michigan.

For more information about the event or the disposal of prescription drugs near you, visit the DEA website.

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