Suburbs collecting prescription drugs to fight abuse

Many suburban police departments are collecting unused prescription drugs this Saturday in an effort to prevent their abuse. Last September, Americans turned in more than 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs as part of the first National Take-Back Initiative. The effort will be repeated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30. Among local departments participating are Des Plaines, 1420 Miner S.; Elk Grove, 901 Wellington Ave.; Prospect Heights, 14 Camp McDonald Road; People can surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high. More Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Liquid products, intravenous solutions, and syringes will not be accepted. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Label information about the medication should be legible, but personal information such as name, address and doctor should be blacked out.