12th National Prescription Drug take-back

BY Isaac Kawesa
On Saturday, Oct. 22 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Farmington Hills Police
Department (FPD) in partnership with Michigans Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) will once again coordinate a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event. Residents
of any city can use the DEA-provided collection box thats located inside Farmington
Hills Police Headquarters at 31655 Eleven Mile Road. The on site location will be
supervised by officials from both the DEA and the local Police Department. Potential
prescription drugs do not need there correct label and can be received in any type of
container or packaging.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, just over 15 million people in the U.S.
abuse prescription drugs, and more than 53% of the abusers receive those drugs
through friends, relatives or their own home. Expired, unused or unwanted prescription
drugs in homes can be a potential source that fuels domestic abuse, physically and
emotionally.
When speaking to local Rite aid pharmacist Sam Kawesa about the issue, he stated, a
lot of the people who try and come in to receive prescription drugs they shouldnt are
teenagers and young adults. This is a problem that the city of Farmington Hills has
noticed and has tried to make an extensive effort to solve with community events such
as the 12th National Prescription Drug take-back day.
Last year at the National Prescription drug take back day the Farmington Hills police
department recorded taking in 179 pounds worth of prescription drugs according to a
representative from the investigative division of the FPD. Over the past several years
the DEA has stated that, The publics response has been enormous; in total, over 5
million pounds of unused or expired drugs have been collected.
This necessary community event has the potential to save countless lives from drug
overdose. If you or anyone you know would like to get involved in any capacity, make
sure to contact the Farmington Hills Police Departments Investigative Division at 248871-2770 to receive more information.