Naperville bringing drug take-back to National Night Out
In April, Naperville stepped up its prescription drug take-back efforts to offer 11 drop-boxes residents can access 24 hours a day.
Now, public safety officials are extending the drug removal service one step further by bringing drop-boxes directly to residents at 37 National Night Out events planned for Tuesday evening.
“This opportunity is when we'll actually be in the neighborhood with our National Night Out program,” police Chief Robert Marshall said. “They can just run into their medicine cabinets while we're there and get rid of any unused prescriptions.”
Marshall said police are offering more ways to remove unwanted prescriptions from suburban homes as one attack against the heroin problem. Some prescription painkillers, especially those in the drug classification of opiates, can be addictive and lead users to seek a cheaper high from heroin.
“We're seeing drug addiction that occurs through prescription drugs, then can be followed up with an addiction to more dangerous drugs such as heroin,” Marshall said. “Painkillers can be highly addictive.”
Police will take unwanted prescriptions during block parties and neighborhood events planned for the city's 19th annual National Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The nationwide event, also referred to as “America's Night Out Against Crime,” already focuses on heightening drug abuse prevention.
Prescription drug take-back boxes for those unable to attend a National Night Out event are available 24 hours a day at all 10 fire stations in Naperville as well as the lobby of police headquarters on Aurora Avenue between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Naperville fire stations are located at 1380 Aurora Ave., 964 E. Chicago Ave., 601 E. Bailey Road, 1803 N. Washington St., 1971 Brookdale Road, 2191 Plainfield-Naperville Road, 2808 103rd St., 1320 Modaff Road, 1144 W. Ogden Ave. and 3201 95th St.
A list of National Night Out locations in Naperville is available at naperville.il.us/nno.aspx.