Monday, April 15, 2019
Seven Beaumont hospitals participating in community event
Every day, more people die from opioid-related overdoses than from car accidents or gun violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017 with opioids accounting for nearly 68% of these deaths. To turn the tide on the nation’s opioid epidemic, community members need a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications.
Beaumont Health and local law enforcement agencies are encouraging people to drop off unused or expired prescribed medications at one of seven hospital locations Friday, April 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This also includes over-the-counter medications and other drugs. No questions asked. Only pills will be accepted. Four locations will also accept medical sharps.
The following Beaumont sites are taking part in the health system’s Medication Take-Back Day:
Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
18101 Oakwood Blvd.
Fitzgerald Valet
Dearborn, MI 48124
Participating partner: Dearborn Police Department
Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills
28050 Grand River Ave.
Main Lobby
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Participating partner: Farmington Hills Police Department
*Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
3711 W. 13 Mile Rd.
Administration Building
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Participating partner: Royal Oak Police Department
*Beaumont Hospital, Taylor
10000 Telegraph Rd.
Main Lobby
Taylor, MI 48180
Participating partner: Taylor Police Department
*Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
5450 Fort St.
Main Lobby
Trenton, MI 48183
Participating partner: Trenton Police Department
*Beaumont Hospital, Troy/Beaumont Medical Park, Sterling Heights
44250 Dequindre Rd.
Atrium Entrance (Across pedestrian bridge from Beaumont, Troy)
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Participating partners: Sterling Heights and Troy Police Departments
Beaumont Hospital, Wayne
33155 Annapolis St.
Main Entrance Valet
Wayne, MI 48184
Participating partner: Wayne Police Department
* Residents can also drop off medical sharps
“Most people do not know how to dispose of their medications, so they hold onto them. And that creates more problems,” said Dr. Roy Soto, a Beaumont anesthesiologist and member of the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission. “Events like Beaumont’s Medication Take-Back Day on April 26 are so important in disposing of unused medications while protecting our communities, children and environment.”
Opioids relieve pain by affecting how your brain and central nervous system process painful stimuli and are often prescribed during episodes of acute pain, such as after surgery, trauma or dental work. However, a recent study found approximately 70% of the opioids prescribed for surgery go unused, making them vulnerable to diversion and misuse.
Added Dr. Soto, “We need to prevent opioid abuse before it starts. Most teens reporting use of prescription medications obtained them from friends or family members, with 20 to 25% reporting taking them without permission. Leftover opioids also pose a poison risk to young children. Every 10 minutes, a child visits the emergency room for medication poisoning. Increasing safe and convenient opportunities for community members to dispose of unused and leftover medications is essential.”