National Prescription Drug Take-back Day

ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH (FOX 2) - Thousands of Americans each year die from the ongoing opioid crisis. That is why it’s a good idea to properly dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

“I think it's very good for opioid crisis to get unwanted medications off the street and out of your cabinet for your children,” Michelle Hamp said as she drops off unwanted medication.  

It's an opportunity to create a safe environment in your home by getting rid of unneeded prescription drugs.

“I encourage everyone come dispose of medications safely keep it out of children, and keep it off the streets,” Hamp said.

All across the country people like Michelle are participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Michelle Hamp dropped off her prescription drugs at a Rochester Hills Kroger. The supermarket chain hosted the drug take-back event at its local pharmacies to provide a safe and convenient way of disposing unwanted medications.  

“People are turning in everything from vitamins to controlled substances to used epi pens that are no longer needed so a lot of different medications are being presented to us,” Kroger Pharmacy Manager Ken Skrzyniarz said.

According to a 2017 national survey more than 53% of people who misused prescription pain medications got them from a friend or relative.

Hamp says before coming to this drop off event she checked in with her family to collect their unwanted medications also. 

“I asked my family members if they had friends or their own since I was going to make the run up here. That’s the best way to do it. You know it's disposed safely and you don't throw them in garbage where people can get their hands on them,” she said.  

Another great thing about this event, organizers say this works to keep the environment safe. 

“People who still flush their medications down the toilet are damaging environment and that's very well documented,” Skrzyniarz said. 

Law enforcement officials were on hand to help oversee the process and once the unwanted medications are safely dropped off they are rounded up 

“The DEA picks up unwanted medications and then incinerates it so it's safe for the environment,” Skrzyniarz said.