Turn in unused, old drugs Saturday at McHenry County locations
McHenry County Department of Health encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's program "National Take-Back Initiative" on Saturday, April 26.
The one-day event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating law enforcement sites. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. 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 bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps. Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from empty plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers. Twelve participating drop-off sites include:
• Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive, Algonquin
• Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive, Cary
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake
• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main St., Huntley
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road, Johnsburg
• Lake in the Hills Police Department, 1115 Crystal Lake Road, Lake in the Hills
• Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Avenue, Lakewood
• Marengo Police Department, 142 E. Prairie St., Marengo
• McHenry Police Department, 333 S. Green St., McHenry
• McHenry County Sheriff's Office, Wonder Lake FPD, 4300 E. Wonder Lake Road, Wonder Lake
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road, Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave., Woodstock.
To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA's webpage at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. Check often as new sites will be added daily or contact your local police department. 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.