On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity,
the Ferris State University Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration will give the public an opportunity in to prevent pill abuse and theft
by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription
drugs. People can bring these pills for disposal during this Take Back Day event to
the University Center Circle Drive entrance at 805 Campus Drive in Big Rapids. These
sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. This service
is free and anonymous.
In April 2021, Americans turned in nearly 420 tons, more than 839,000 pounds, of prescription drugs at 5,000-plus sites operated by the DEA and 4,425 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows annually that most misused and abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including someone else’s medication stolen from a home medicine cabinet. Further, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, such as flushing items down a toilet or throwing them into the trash, pose potential safety risks and health hazards. The DEA’s Take Back Day provides opportunities for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.