Northwestern Medicine to distribute Narcan nasal spray at National Drug Take Back Day events

Northwestern Medicine, Drug Enforcement Administration to host community sites

Northwestern Medicine team members will distribute Narcan (naloxone) and provide education about opioid overdose prevention during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Nine Northwestern Medicine locations will also offer drive-up locations where community members can safely dispose of unused medications.

West suburban locations include Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles.

“We will distribute Narcan spray as another way to address the opioid crisis that is affecting communities throughout Illinois and across the country,” said Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine. “More than 75 percent of drug overdose deaths are related to opioids, and we must do all we can to educate community members. Narcan reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be lifesaving when it is given to a person in crisis.”

In addition to illegal and illicit opioids, unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue that can lead to potential accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose.

Northwestern Medicine will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by hosting nine collection sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Community members can safely dispose of their unused medications at the drive-up locations.

“Studies show that many people who use opioids are first exposed to the prescription medications in the homes of family members of friends,” Elliott said. “National Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and prescription medications. If you throw unused medications in the trash, they can be retrieved and used, or illegally sold. If you flush them, they can contaminate the water supply.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as the second most-common form of drug use in America.

“The vast amounts of unwanted prescription drugs collected on Take Back Day reflect the shared commitment between the DEA, local law enforcement and healthcare providers to the safety and health our communities,” said Sheila Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division.

The nine Northwestern Medicine drive-up collection sites are located at:

• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (east entrance roundabout), 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield

• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital (main entrance), 10400 Haligus Road, Huntley

• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care (east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles

• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb

• Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, 600 N. Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest

• Northwestern Medicine Old Irving Park Advanced Outpatient Center (patient drop off area, inside parking garage), 4445 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago

• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital (use main entrance driveway, take first right, west side of hospital), 12251 S. 80th Ave., Palos Heights

• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 N. Main St., Sandwich

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital Lavin Family Pavilion, 259 E. Erie St., Chicago