MI HR0235

Declares April 22-29, 2012, as Drug Take Back Awareness Week in Michigan, coinciding with the fourth annual National Drug Take Back Day on April 28, 2012, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Provides public opportunity to safely dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at designated collection locations across Michigan and the United States.

Notes that prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, with poisoning deaths among ages 15-19 with prescription drugs as a contributing cause increasing from 30 percent in 2000 to 57 percent in 2009.

Addresses environmental and public health concerns, including that 80 percent of streams and 93 percent of groundwater tested contain at least one pharmaceutical compound, and that available unused prescription drugs increase potential for crime and abuse.

References successful previous collection efforts, including the 2011 take back day that collected over 375,000 pounds of prescription drugs nationally and more than 515 pounds worth approximately $500,000 at the Michigan State Capitol.