Community

Community Invited to Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Spectrum Health collaborating on drop-off sites

 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 17, 2018 – Spectrum Health Healthier Communities,  Priority Health, Families Against Narcotics Grand Rapids Chapter  and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services have teamed up to collect unused and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 27 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 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“We are pleased to be involved with this team effort, which is part of the community’s multi-faceted approach to curtailing the opioid crisis,” said Ken Fawcett, MD, vice president, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities. “Prescription Drug Take Back Day not only removes unwanted medications from the community but also provides valuable resources and educational materials for families who are struggling with 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.

Locations sponsored or co-sponsored by Spectrum Health are listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, the drop-off site will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 27:

• Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
• Ludington Hospital, 1 N. Atkinson Drive, Ludington
• Muskegon City Fire Department, 770 Terrace St., Muskegon (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
• Zeeland Community Hospital, 8333 Felch St., Zeeland  (4-6 p.m. October 26)
• United & Kelsey Hospitals/Montcalm County, Endeavor Center, 201 W. Main St., Edmore

During the last National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 5,842 sites across the country collected a total of 474 tons of prescription drugs and medical supplies, including 23,115 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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