Opportunity To Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) program “National Take-Back Initiative” on Saturday, April 28.  The one-day event is from 10am-2pm, at participating law enforcement sites. 

According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, approximately 2,500 teens a day use prescription drugs to get high for the first time.  Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. 

Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal.  Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps. 

Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers. 

The nine (9) participating drop-off sites include –

• Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive—Algonquin
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock Street–Crystal Lake
• Fox River Grove & Algonquin Twp Road District, 3702 Hwy 14–Crystal Lake
• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street–Huntley 
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N Chapel Hill Road—Johnsburg
• Lake in the Hills Police Department, 1115 Crystal Lake Road–Lake in the Hills
• Marengo Police Department, 142 E Prairie Street–Marengo
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road–Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Avenue—Woodstock

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s webpage http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.  Check often as new sites will be added daily.

Many Americans are accustomed to flushing their unused medicines down the toilet or throw them in the trash – both potential safety and health hazards.  U.S. Geological Survey studies have found traces of prescription drugs in water samples from 30 states which have been linked to ecological harm to fish and freshwater supplies.  

Additional information is available from your participating local law enforcement agency, on the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.