Latest news with #UniversityofMichiganHealth-West
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Michigan participates in National Drug Take Back Day
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Across the country and here in West Michigan, people spent Saturday clearing out their medicine cabinets and safely getting rid of old prescriptions, syringes, vitamins and pet medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. At two drop-off sites in Wyoming, the University of Michigan Health-West and the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, more than 100 pounds of unwanted drugs were collected. It's part of a national effort led by the Drug Enforcement Administration to prevent medication misuse, reduce overdose risk and protect the environment. Pete Haverkamp, director of pharmacy at University of Michigan Health-West, has been a part of these events at the hospital since they started in 2011. Saturday marked the team's 27th drug take-back event. Since it began, the two sites have collected more than four tons of drugs. 'We enjoy doing this because it helps remove unwanted medication from our houses and homes,' he said. Collecting the drugs is part of the effort to help helping the environment by stopping improper disposal, since inappropriate disposal can lead to contamination in watersheds. It is also meant to protect families. Getting rid of these drugs also helps remove overdose risk by reducing diversion of controlled substances. The event gives families a safe, anonymous way to drop off medications without fear of judgment. It also helps address emotional burdens tied to old prescriptions. 'It's wonderful to help the public,' Haverkamp said. 'Sometimes it's really healing for people to get rid of medications associated with a loved one who passed away. This is a great way for them to dispose of medications appropriately and kind of let part of their life go.' Some drugs collected Saturday dated back decades, including medications from the 1970s and 1980s, long pushed to the backs of household cabinets. Once collected, volunteers carefully remove any personal information from packaging, recycle the plastics and cardboard and safely incinerate the drugs to minimize environmental harm. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day happens twice a year, in April and October. In October alone, more than 629,000 pounds of medications were collected at nearly 4,700 sites across the United States. For those who missed Saturday's event, year-round drop-off locations can be found on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Thank you': First responders who saved man at Grand Rapids Marathon honored
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man who suffered a heart attack during the Grand Rapids Marathon last year watched Wednesday as the people who helped save his life were honored. 'You guys do this on a daily basis, and it means so much to me,' Tim Ruff said. Ruff, who had no history of heart trouble, collapsed while running the half-marathon in October. A doctor and nurse who happened to be running behind him started CPR. The Life EMS ambulance crew that arrived moments later said the fast response was crucial. 'The nurse being right behind Tim starting CPR immediately, doing very good hard fast compressions, and the fact that we were right around the corner could not have given us a better outcome,' Megan Daniels, a paramedic, said. 'A police officer was also coming up and they had an AED in their hands, so we got their AED to use and then I was working on getting ready to get some oxygen going,' James Hadley, an EMT, said. 'Know CPR': Post heart-attack, GR Marathon runner shares his story The ambulance crew was honored at the Heart Savers Luncheon in celebration of National Heart Month. Ruff spoke at the event. 'I don't remember the day really as well as everybody else did, and so some of that just is great to see faces, hear their story, hear what they saw,' he said. 'And then also just see everybody and see what they do on a daily basis.' A doctor who was part of the emergency response team for the marathon praised those who rushed to aid Ruff. 'Seconds are life. And so the more quickly you can get to somebody and assess what the problem is and make sure someone is doing CPR, getting the blood flowing, getting an AED on it as soon as possible (the better),' Dr. Ed Kornoelje, medical director for sports medicine at University of Michigan Health-West, said. Griffins to honor heart transplant recipient Life EMS founder and President Mark Meijer presented the awards at the luncheon. He said awareness and having an emergency plan in place are crucial. 'We all kind of take it for granted. We get complacent because, gosh, we brought this AED, it's been in a cabinet on the wall and nobody has opened up that cabinet in six years,' Meijer said. Ruff said having the tools and trained staff nearby gave him a new chance on life. 'These are people that do this day in and day out, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you,' Ruff said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
