Farmington Hills Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration partner for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 26
In 2024, the Farmington Hills Police Department collected nearly 400 pounds
of old, unwanted and/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, April 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.
“Too often, forgotten medications become a hidden danger in our homes,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. “Proper disposal is a simple step we can all take to protect our families and prevent the misuse of prescription drugs.”
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 2024, the FHPD safely collected nearly 400 pounds of prescription drugs that were destroyed by the DEA in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Since the Prescription Drug Take Back program started in 2010, more than 19 million pounds of drugs have been collected nationwide.
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.