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Drop off your old drugs today

Celebrate National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by dropping off any old or unused prescriptions at your local sheriff’s office or other certified drop-off locations in the area, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

The UP Coalition Network has recently had information cards listing drop off locations created and distributed at local shops and pharmacies, as a part of a grant it received to help combat the opioid crisis.

Some of those places where cards are distributed include ShopKo pharmacies, the health department and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community health clinic.

“Anything that we can do in our community to help live, work and play together is a good thing,” said Baraga Communities That Care coordinator Carrie Rich.

Rich hopes to bring awareness to the crisis and let those who might be struggling with addiction know that they aren’t alone and there are people willing to help.

Many of the drop-off locations accept them all year long. Sgt. James Revoyr of the Michigan State Police Calumet Post said they receive drop-offs at least three times a week.

The locations provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, which are safety and health hazards when flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash and have the potential to be abused.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs, with the majority being obtained from family and friends’ home medicine cabinets.

Some take back locations:

Michigan Tech Public Safety & Police Services 206 Macinnes Dr. Houghton, MI

Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police 15817 US 41 Baraga, MI

Michigan State Police 55195 N. US Highway 41 Calumet, MI

Baraga County Sheriff’s Office 940 Highway US 41

Ontonagon County Sheriff Office 620 Conglomerate St.

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