U-M's Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (Michigan OPEN) is partnering with hospitals, pharmacies, community organizations, and police departments across Washtenaw County to host medication take back events on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nine sites throughout Washtenaw County are hosting take back events on this day. (Other sites around the state will offer take-back events on October 26.)

• Ann Arbor: St. Francis Catholic School, 2270 E. Stadium
• Chelsea: St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital, 775 S. Main St.
• Dexter: Monument Park, Baker Road at Main Street
• Milan: Milan Police Department, 35 Neckel Ct.
• Saline: Saline Police Department, 100 N. Harris St.
• Whitmore Lake: Northfield Township Community & Senior Center, 9101 Main St.
• Ypsilanti: Corner Health Center, 47 N. Huron St.
• Ypsilanti: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, 5301 McAuley Dr.
• Ypsilanti: West Willow Community Resource Center, 2057 Tyler Rd.

For more information visit http://michigan-open.org

Research has found that about 70 percent of the opioid pain medicines prescribed for surgery go unused and are not disposed. This is also true for other medications that have potential for abuse, and increases the potential for these medications to be diverted into the community or contaminate our waterways. Take back events provide a safe process for disposing of unused medications while protecting our communities, children, and environment.

Remove the risk from your home and bring any unused opioids and other medications to an event in your community.

Michigan OPEN’s efforts with take back events have led to more than 9,600 pounds of unused medications and approximately 172,700 opioids being collected and properly disposed.