Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network encourage Michigan residents to dispose of prescription drugs on nationwide "Prescription Drug Take-Back Day"

DETROIT, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network once again are supporting the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 29.

"The collection numbers for this event are quite encouraging," said Dr. James Lang, vice president of Pharmacy Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "We're eager to continue our commitment to promoting Drug Take-Back Day, as well as educating the public year-round on the importance of getting rid of medicine in a safe, environmentally sound way."

Hundreds of collection sites throughout Michigan will be available for the public to safely and anonymously drop off expired and unused prescription medicine. The last Take-Back Day, held April 28, generated a record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted medicine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than three out of four people who misuse prescription painkillers use drugs prescribed to someone else. In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.

"Not only does National Drug Take-Back Day help to prevent tons of medication from entering our soil and water supply, it reduces the potential of prescription drug abuse by eliminating the supply that it thrives on," Lang added.  

Since its inception, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day has generated more than 774 tons of unwanted medications for safe disposal. To find a collection site near you, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration website.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.4 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com

*BCBSM maintains bcbsm.com, MiBCN.com and theunadvertisedbrand.com. The Blues do not control any other websites referenced in this news release or endorse their general content.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan