Crime & Safety
Free Drug Testing Kits and Other Efforts Fight Abuse
City of Brighton Police and Michigan State Police-Brighton Post join effort to offer free drug tests and prescription disposal. Educational program and vigil also planned.
In response to the many drug overdoses and drug-related deaths, along with the rise of opiate use in Livingston County over the past 18 months, police are joining together to offer free drug testing kits to the community.
The Livingston County Sheriff Department, and the are among agencies offering the kits at no charge, allowing parents to self-test their children for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, "benzos" and amphetamines. Kits also are available at police departments in Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, Fowlerville and Howell as well as at District Court Probation.
The program is being run by Project Opiate in conjunction with the DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative in Livingston County.
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If your child tests positive for any drug, police recommend that you contact a substance abuse agency for assistance, such as Brighton Hospital, Livingston County Catholic Charities, or Complete Counseling in Howell.
Prescription drug disposal
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Collection containers for unused prescription drugs will be available in the lobby at the Livingston County Jail, Michigan State Police-Brighton Post and the Hamburg Township Fire Department on M-36 at Hamburg Road beginning April 30.
Anyone with unused prescription drugs are encouraged to safely dispose of the medications at one of these locations, to keep unused drugs out of the hands of kids.
Community events
On Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m., there will be a presentation on How Prescription Drug Use Can Lead to Drug Addiction, held at Howell Highlander Way Media Center, 511 N. Highlander Way.
The following week, on Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m., a vigil will be held in support and respect for all of those lost to drugs in Livingston County at the Historic Courthouse, 200 E. Grand River in downtown Howell.
Anyone who would like to share the story of their lost loved one on May 18 please contact Francine Sumner at fsumner@co.livingston.mi.us.
This press release was submitted by Kay Baker of the Livingston County Sheriff Department.
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