Police are collecting old medicines
Submitted by McHenry County Department of Health
McHenry County Department of Health encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s program “National Take Back Initiative” Saturday, April 27.
The one-day event will be 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 (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. Thirteen participating drop, off sites include:
Ÿ Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive. Algonquin
Ÿ Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive, Cary
Ÿ Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake
Ÿ Fox River Grove Police Department, 305 Illinois St., Fox River Road
Ÿ Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main St., Huntley
Ÿ Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road. Johnsburg
Ÿ Lake in the Hills Police Department, 1115 Crystal Lake Road. Lake in the Hills
Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Ave., Lakewood
Ÿ Marengo Police Department, 142 E Prairie St., Marengo
Ÿ McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Wonder Lake FPD, 4300 E Wonder Lake Road, Wonder Lake
Ÿ McHenry Police Department, 333 S Green St. McHenry
Ÿ Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road, Spring Grove
Ÿ Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave., Woodstock
To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s webpage 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.