Today, October 26th, the Arlington Heights Police Department, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will participate in a program to remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs from homes.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative provides an opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted, expired and unused pharmaceuticals and unwanted over the counter medication to law enforcement officers for their proper disposal. This will be a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unused or unwanted prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.
This one-day effort brings national attention to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. Having unused and expired medicine in your home increases the risk of prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning.
The collection site for the pharmaceuticals is the Arlington Heights Police Department located at 200 E. Sigwalt Street, Saturday, October 26th between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The service is free and anonymous. Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms of medications will be collected. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted
This is the seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The positive national response to this program has resulted in the removal of more than 2 .8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of medication from circulation.
Arlington Heights Police Department contact person – Commander Mike Hernandez at 847-368-5338 or Detective Russ Mandel at 847-368-5362.
Mount Prospect Police Are Also Participating in the National Prescription Drug Take back Initiative
The Mount Prospect Police Department will be participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsored National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will provide a venue to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications – including controlled substances.
Items can be dropped off at the Mount Prospect Public Safety Building (112 E. Northwest Highway) on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. inside the main lobby.
A uniformed police officer will be present to answer any questions.
Only prescription medication will be accepted.
Items such as syringes and liquids will NOT be accepted.
Unused and expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, often leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. These pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs, when taken without a prescription or without being under a doctor’s supervision. Studies show that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
Many Americans simply do not know how to properly dispose of their unused or expired medicine, often flushing it down the toilet or throwing it away. These methods can pose both safety and environmental hazards. The proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
By participating in the October 26th Take-Back Program, area residents have the opportunity to safely and responsibly rid their homes of these unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Mount Prospect Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at 847/870-5650.
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