This month’s final Do 1 Thing tip concerning communications involves being informed. We are encouraging readers to make sure everyone in their household can communicate in a disaster.

The way emergency information is sent out in your community may not work for everyone. If you don’t speak English well, or if you use an assistive device to speak or hear, make a plan now. Make sure you can get and give information in a disaster.

Communities may give information by television or radio, by automated phone call, text messages, email or by sounding outdoor warning sirens. Police or fire departments may use loudspeakers to give information as they drive through the streets. Responders or volunteers may go door-to-door to talk to people directly.

If you think you may not be able to understand emergency information, identify someone (or more than one person) that you can contact for help in an emergency. Have more than one way to get in touch with them. Keep their contact information with you.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other local law enforcement agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, to provide a venue for citizens to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

MSP’s 29 posts will participate in the one-day ‘Take-Back’ effort between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, by serving as drop-off points for citizens to discard expired, unused and unwanted medications for destruction. No liquids, inhalers, patches or syringes will be accepted. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

“It is important for Michigan residents to have a safe and confidential way to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription drugs,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “Take-Back Day provides a convenient way for them to do so and helps prevent potential hazards of the misuse of these medications.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

A list of MSP collection sites can be found below. Additional collection sites across the state can be found by going to www.dea.gov. The Niles Law Enforcement Complex is a permanent drop off site.

 

Any questions or comments please contact me at TrooperRob53@yahoo.com or (269) 683-4411