Ditch Your Drugs: Dispose of Prescription Meds at Collection Sites Saturday

During exam time, a single Adderall pill can be sold for up to $20 in the hallways and parking lots of area high schools.

“It depends on the time of year, but it’s a hot commodity,” said Chuck Ahee, Chippewa Valley High School senior.

Ahee was one of several members of the Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth & Families to join Congressman Sander Levin (D, MI-12), Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and Clinton Township Chief of Police Fred Posavetz at a press conference Thursday to highlight the fifth annual DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.

From Mount Clemens to Warren and Eastpointe to Romeo, 12 locations across Macomb County will serve as collection sites for unused and expired prescription medications.

Medications that "are prescribed for specific use and essentially abused,” Levin said, adding his support for the ongoing efforts of community anti-drug coalitions who not only sponsor take-back events but organize countless programs to educate the community, especially youth, about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

“The prescription drug problem is growing and it’s certainly something that we see more,” said Prosecutor Smith. “Some stats to point that out: 10 percent of all teens in the last six years admit to misusing prescription drugs. Two-thirds of those teens say they got it from family and friends, so that’s what makes this so important.”

Collection sites open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, and close at 2 p.m. Residents can drop off their unused and expired prescription medications at the following sites:

Clinton Township Police Department

• 37985 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Township

Macomb County Sheriff’s Office

• 43565 Elizabeth Rd., Mount Clemens

Jermaine Jackson Community Center

• 58 Orchard St., Mount Clemens

Sterling Heights Police Department

• 40333 Dodge Park

Fraser Police Department

• 33000 Garfield Rd., Fraser

New Baltimore Police Department

• 37885 Green St., New Baltimore

Romeo Police Department

• 121 West St. Clair St., Romeo

Roseville Police Department

• 29753 Gratiot Ave., Roseville

Chester Berry Manor

• 15701 9 Mile Rd., Eastpointe

St. Clair Shores Police Department

• 27665 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

Warren Police Department

• 29900 Civic Center Blvd.

Center Line Department of Public Safety

• 7070 E. 10 Mile Rd., Center Line

Residents are asked to package their medications in sealable plastic bags. No liquids or needles will be accepted.

Last year, Macomb County collected the second-most pounds of prescription medications of all counties in the state.

If you miss Saturday’s collection event, permanent disposal sites for prescription drugs are located at the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Clinton Township, Fraser, Richmond, Roseville, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Warren.