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Washtenaw County Hosting Event To Take Back Unwanted Medication This Weekend

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In 2011, 29 people in Washtenaw County died from a opioid-related death.  That number increased to 68 last year.  The county is hoping to reduce that number.

Groups such as Michigan OPEN, the sheriff's office, and the health department are asking residents to get rid of unneeded medication at their house.  But they're asking you to do it properly by taking it this Saturday to a free Take-Back event from 10 AM to 2PM.

Dr. Chad Brummett is the co-director of Michigan OPEN, an organization that aims to reduce excess acute care opioid prescribing.

"The majority of what will be taken back are medications--in other words, pills and patches. We don't take sharps, so we don't take needles. We don't take liquids. And we don't take inhalers."

The West Willow Community Resource Center in Ypsilanti will be one of the locations for the event.  For a full list, click here.

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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu

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