In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic, Corewell Health and the Kent County Health Department are collecting unused prescription drugs this Saturday at a number of locations across West Michigan.
Health officials say, while the pandemic has been at the forefront of public health department efforts in recent years, the opioid epidemic hasn’t gone anywhere, in fact, things are getting worse.
Just how bad is it? Consider, last year, Michigan recorded 1,925 deaths due to opioid overdose according to Corewell Health, that’s nearly 800 more deaths than the number of car crash fatalities, that the State recorded at 1,131.
On Saturday, as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Corewell Health and the Kent County Department of Public Health are hosting several locations where anyone can dispose of unwanted or unused medications including Corewell’s main headquarters. On the Lakeshore, residents can drop off medications Saturday at the Norton Shores Fire Department.
