MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the use and misuse of prescription drugs. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the number of overdose deaths in Michigan has raised by 14 percent since 2014.

The Meridian Township Police Department encourages residents to dispose their prescriptions in the lobby of the police department. It is open to anyone in the community and can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Residents have a lot of prescription pills in their home that they should destroy, and destroying them safely is important," says Meridian Township Police Captain Greg Frenger.