West Chicago to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
West Chicago, Illinois: October 18, 2011 -The West Chicago Police Department has announced that it will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This one day event gives people a venue in which they can properly dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.
The day will also bring awareness to a public safety and public health issue. Every year millions of Americans abuse prescription drugs, each day thousands of teenagers get high from prescription drugs, young children accidentally take prescription drugs because they look like candy and water sources are being contaminated from drugs being flushed down toilets. The majority of these abused prescription drugs are coming from household medicine cabinets.
The West Chicago Police Department, along with thousands of other state and local law enforcement agencies, is an approved collection site for this event. On Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., anyone who has unwanted or unused prescription drugs can drop them off at the West Chicago Police Department located at 325 Spencer Street.
Realizing the importance of proper prescription drug disposal, the West Chicago Police Department has implemented an ongoing Unused Medicine Drop Off program. During normal business hours, any person can drop off any unwanted or unused prescription or over the counter medications. The large black drop-off box is located in the front lobby at the Police Department.
The medications to be dropped off can be stored in their original containers (with personal information removed or blacked out) or in sealed plastic bags. Medicated ointments, shampoos and liquids containing medications are also accepted, but they must be in their original containers. All medications will be picked up and destroyed by a licensed contractor and no medications will be reused.
For more information about the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day or about the Unused Medicine Drop Off program, please contact the West Chicago Police Department at (630) 293-2222.
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