CHELSEA, MI -- A large green receptacle in the lobby of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital is part of the fight to end drug abuse, the health system announced Wednesday.
The new bin is a place for residents to anonymously dispose of unused or out-of-date medicine, including pet medicine, according to a news release. The bins provide a place for people to safely get rid of medication that could be accessible and cause harm to minors or adults seeking to take medication not prescribed to them.
The idea is to take out the possibility of using addictive drugs, such as opioids, at home. More than 83% of opioid prescription medications taken by new users are obtained from a friend, relative or others, according to the release.
“Substance Use Disorder is a threat to local families and to our community," Nancy Graebner, president and CEO of St. Joe’s Chelsea, said in a statement. "I encourage everyone to use this new resource so that we can reduce the risk of medications being used improperly.”
The program does not accept illegal drugs, inhalers, lotions or liquids, aerosol cans, thermometers, needles and hydrogen peroxide. Needles can be disposed of in several pharmacies throughout Washtenaw County.
The drug takeback program will be implemented at all five Saint Joe’s hospitals in the system, the release stated: Chelsea, Howell, Livonia, Pontiac and Ypsilanti.
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