Get Rid of Your Prescription Drugs

A press release from the McHenry County Department of Public Health:

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day April 30

Promotes safe, convenient and responsible disposal of medications

The Lake in the Hills Police sent a photo of its CVS drop-off box, into which prescription drugs may be placed year round.

The Lake in the Hills Police sent a photo of its CVS drop-off box, into which prescription drugs may be placed year round.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) program “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” on Saturday, April 30.

The one-day event is from 10 am2 pm at participating law enforcement sites. This coordinated effort addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

When medication is not disposed of properly, it can end up in our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Pharmaceuticals should not be discarded by flushing them down a toilet, or throwing them into the trash.

The DEA’s program and local law enforcement drop-off programs are structured to offer an economically viable and the most environmentally sound disposal alternative for residents’ expired/unwanted medication.

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.

Eleven participating drop-off sites in McHenry County include –

  • Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive – Algonquin
  • Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive – Cary
  • Harvard Police Department, 201 W. Front Street – Harvard
  • Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street – Huntley
  • Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road – Johnsburg
  • Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Avenue – Lakewood
  • Marengo Police Department, 142 E. Prairie Street – Marengo
  • McHenry Police Department, 333 S. Green Street – McHenry
  • McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Wonder Lake Fire Protection District #1 (East side station), 4300 E. Wonder Lake Rd – Wonder Lake
  • Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road – Spring Grove
  • Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Avenue – Woodstock

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s webpagehttp://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 webpagewww.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, McHenry County Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.


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