Novi Police Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs

—Submitted by the city of Novi

The is now taking back unwanted prescription drugs at their headquarters, located at 45125 W. 10 Mile Road, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. All drugs turned in will ultimately be sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for destruction. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock for one month. Medicines that languish in the home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of those who abuse prescriptions obtain them from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

“With the success of two previous one-day take back events, the benefits of providing this service on a continual basis were recognized,” said Novi Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police David E. Molloy. “The Novi Police Department is dedicated to keeping our community safe and drug free. Ensuring medications are properly disposed of lowers the risk of our youth abusing drugs and senior citizens using expired medication. I encourage everyone to take an hour to clean out your medicine cabinet – it may save a life.”