In 2023, the Farmington Hills Police Department collected nearly 550 pounds

of old, unwanted or expired prescription medications

 

The Farmington Hills Police Department (FHPD), in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officers will be in the Police Department lobby, located at 31655 W. Eleven Mile Road, to assist with the collection and safe disposal of unwanted prescription medications.  

Anyone may bring unwanted or expired medications to the department for anonymous disposal. All pills must be in a container and loose pills will not be accepted. Those wishing to dispose of prescription liquids, creams and patches may request a free Deterra drug deactivation pouch, which can be used at home to safely deactivate and dispose of these products. Liquids, creams and patches will not be accepted on site. 

“Unused and expired medications can find their way into the wrong hands with dangerous and sometimes tragic consequences,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King. “It’s important to remind everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets to help stop this avoidable risk to public health and safety.” 

Recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious problem. According to the National Safety Council, 70% of teens who abused prescription painkillers got them through friends or relatives. Expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs accessible in homes can promote this abuse. Proper disposal of unwanted medications also helps prevent pollution of area ecosystems and drinking water supplies.

The Farmington Hills Police Department participates in the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Days twice annually in April and October. In 2023, the FHPD safely collected nearly 550 pounds of prescription drugs that were destroyed by the DEA in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Since the nationwide Prescription Drug Take Back program started in 2010, nearly 19 million pounds of drugs have been collected.

Anyone who cannot make it to this event, may utilize the Farmington Hills Police Department’s Operation Medicine Cabinet program to drop off any unwanted prescription drugs at the Police Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. Prescription drugs are collected at the Command Desk and then placed in the Operation Medicine Cabinet secure drop box in the lobby.

For more information, call the Investigative Division at 248-871-2770 or visit www.dea.gov/takebackday.

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