Aurora Police, Fox Valley group hosting medication collection event

Aurora Police and the Fox Fresh Medication Take Back Group are sponsoring a medication collection during the Aurora Farmer's Market Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Aurora Transportation Center.

The event takes place at 233 N. Broadway Avenue, from 8:00 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Police said all unused, unwanted, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted and properly discarded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Improper disposal of medicines presents both a public safety and environmental hazard and wastes millions of health care dollars annually, according to officials from Fox Fresh.

In addition, Expired or unwanted medicines flushed down the toilet or drain are a source of pollution in wastewater, adding sewage treatment plants are not designed to deal with drugs and these chemicals often are released into streams, lakes, and groundwater, affecting fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Thermometers or sharps will not be accepted during the collection.

For more information, please check out the Fox Fresh website at foxfresh.info.