Fenton Police to Host Prescription Drug Take-Back Saturday

The abuse of prescription drugs is a common gateway to said Fenton Chief of Police Rick Aro. To help prevent prescription drug abuse, a free take back event will be available at the Fenton Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The Drug Take-Back Program is a way for members of our community to keep their prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands and possibly contributing to another heroin addiction,” Aro said. “Our department encourages everyone to empty their homes of outdated, unused prescription medications by participating in this initiative.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday. It’s an opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

Americans have again responded overwhelmingly to the most recent DEA-led National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, according to a recent DEA press release. On April 28, citizens turned in a record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the four Take-Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of medication from circulation.

"We are pleased at the response of the American people once again, and we thank them for participating and contributing to the battle against prescription drug abuse," said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart, who added that 4,268 agencies participated with DEA nationwide in Saturday's event.

"While a uniform system for prescription drug disposal is being finalized, we will continue to sponsor these important take-back opportunities as a service to our communities. Our take-back events highlight the problems related to prescription drug abuse and give our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution. These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our state, federal, local, and tribal partners and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts on behalf of the American people."

The city of Linden also is hosting a take-back event Saturday, for its residents.