ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – As of Tuesday April 29, both the Ishpeming Police and Forsyth Township Police Departments will no longer be accepting expired, unwanted or unused medications.
The change comes from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), discontinuing the Drug Take Back Program at the federal level. Ishpeming Police Chief Chad Radabaugh says the future for this initiative is unknown at this time.
“We were informed that no dates were set, and there is no engaging plan to continue the program,” said Radabaugh.
Since 2012, the Ishpeming department has utilized the Drug Take Back Program at a successful rate.
“We take anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds each time we drop it off,” said Radabaugh.
After it began, a number of issues in the area related to drug hoarding and abuse were significantly restrained.
“We had issues with people breaking and entering to get to pills that they knew people had,” said Radabaugh. “Also, we’ve had people flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage, which can be an environmental issue.”
Until now, the program has been at no cost to the city with the help of the administration.
“With the DEA, it hasn’t cost the city anything,” said Radabaugh. “It’s just been a free service we’ve been able to offer to the community.”
At this time, the department doesn’t have enough storage space for any intake. Chief Radabaugh says that Marquette’s Meijer pharmacy is the next best option.
To learn more about the safety of proper drug disposal, visit michigan.gov.
