Bronson Hosts Drug Take Back Day April 27

On Saturday, April 27, Bronson Community Health, along with local law enforcement, will take part in a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at sites in Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.

This event is held in an effort to prevent unused drugs from being lost, stolen or misused. Community members are encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets, drawers and cupboards, and take any unneeded or outdated medications to one of the Take Back Day sites. Law enforcement officers will be on hand to make sure the medications are placed in a secured receptacle until they can be properly destroyed.

While most prescription medications will be accepted, the event is targeted primarily at collecting unneeded opioids. The United States is experiencing an opioid epidemic, with an estimated 12.5 million people age 12 and older misusing opioids (pain medications) in the past year. The Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) says 40,000 opioid pills were collected during the Take Back Day held in October 2018.

Bronson is hosting events in collaboration with Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, OPEN, the Van Buren County Substance Abuse Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The below collection sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

ACCEPTED ITEMS
Pills, Capsules and Patches
Examples:
Pain Medications

Hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin)

Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)

Tramadol (Ultram)

Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine

Sedatives/Sleep Medications:  Xanax, Valium, Ambien and Klonopin

Antidepressants, ADHD Medications

Muscle Relaxants, Pet/Veterinary Medicines

NOT ACCEPTED

Needles, Syringes, Lancets, Liquids

For more information about the Prescription Drug Take Back Day events at the above locations, contact Joyce Griffith at Bronson Community Health, (269) 341-8355.