County Collects Nearly a Ton of Prescription Meds at DEA Take-Back Day

More than 500 Macomb County residents took part in the on April 28, and as a result, 1,307 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications were collected for safe disposal.

According to the DEA, designated drop-off sites within in the county collected approximately two-thirds of a ton of medications, making Macomb one of the highest collection counties in Michigan.

Nationally, Americans turned in 276 tons of unwanted or expired medications on April 28, at 5,659 sites around the country. Since its first take-back event in 2010, the DEA has removed more than 1.5 million pounds, or 774 tons, of medication from circulation, according to the Associated Press.

were made possible by law enforcement agencies and anti-drug coalitions such as the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth & Families and the L'Anse Creuse Community Action Coalition.

While special collection days are held throughout the year, several Macomb County police departments have permanent disposal boxes available 365 days per year. Those locations include:

• Macomb County Sheriff Department
• Clinton Township Police Department
• Sterling Heights Police Department
• Fraser Police Department
• Richmond Police Department

The easiest way to ensure safe disposal of your prescription medications is to do so through an organized collection or law enforcement agency, but if this isn't possible, the FDA recommends you follow these instructions for safe at-home disposal.