FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Ottawa County taking back unwanted prescription drugs Saturday, Oct 22

Ottawa County Prescription Drug and Opiate Taskforce in collaboration with Ottawa County law enforcement agencies are taking back unwanted prescription drugs – Saturday, Oct 22

Media contact:
Lynne Doyle, Executive Director
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County
616-494-5421 or Ldoyle@miOttawa.org          

OTTAWA COUNTY – On Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ottawa County Prescription Drug and Opiate Taskforce and local law enforcement agencies will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The Drug Take Back Event sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. 

Bring your pills for disposal to one of these sites: 

Holland – Department of Public Health, 12251 James St (Building C lobby)

Grand Haven – Grand Haven Township Office, 13300 168th Ave

Hudsonville – Ottawa County Building, 3100 Port Sheldon Rd

GVSU – Police Department Office, 1011 Service Building

Zeeland – Zeeland Police Department, 29 W Main St 

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. Citizens are advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose potential safety and health hazards. Those unable to attend the Drug Take Back events are encouraged to go to the Department of Public Health/Environmental Health website for information about medication disposal sites throughout the county. www.miOttawa.org/MedDisposal

 Click for more information about the National Take-Back Initiative.