This is the TRAINING website.

For current info please visit detroitmi.gov

Detroit Health Department Participates in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

2023
  • Partnering with local community organizations to ensure Detroit households properly dispose unused and unwanted prescription medications
  • The Detroit Health Department and Detroit Police Department Precincts serving as drop off locations and are part of a national prescription drug take back initiative
  • Drop off sites will not accept syringes, illicit drugs, liquid or powder medications

The Detroit Health Department is participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by serving as a collection site on Saturday, October 28. During the event anyone may anonymously drop off unused and expired medications (pills only) for safe disposal at the Health Department located at 100 Mack Avenue or at any Detroit Police Department Precinct from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means for disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about how to keep loved ones safe and the risks of improperly disposing medications. “Our collaboration with the DEA, the Detroit Police Department and community partners is the Health Department’s commitment to protect Detroiters from drug misuse, and offer a safe way to remove unwanted and expired medication from their homes,” said Chief Public Health Officer, Denise Fair Razo.  “When prescription drugs are not disposed of properly, this can lead to public health and safety concerns.”

Since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the DEA continues to partner with local law enforcement agencies, and community-based organizations throughout the country to provide communities a no-cost method to dispose of unneeded medications to prevent theft of the substances, opioid addiction and accidental poisoning.

“The Detroit Police Department is proud to be part of the effort to keep the community safe through DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said Chief James E. White. “All police precincts will be open for the community to turn in their expired and unused medications. We encourage everyone to take part in this important initiative to keep medications out of the hands of our children and other vulnerable members of our community.”

To prevent environmental contamination, prescription medications should never be thrown in the trash or flushed down a toilet to avoid water pollution.

The following is a list of City of Detroit agencies and community partners that will be working with the DEA:

  • Detroit Health Department
  • Detroit Police Department – all Precincts
  • Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)
  • The Youth Connection
  • Love Detroit Prevention Coalition
  • Michigan State Police
  • Wayne State University Police Department

Click here for a list of additional drop off sites within the City of Detroit and Highland Park. 

For more information regarding the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.