Don't flush unused pills! Elgin joins in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day April 27

Renz Addiction Counseling Center, the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Elgin, Advocate Sherman Hospital and the Elgin Police Department have partnered together to offer the public a free Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Advocate Sherman Hospital, 1425 N. Randall Road, Elgin.

This event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will be set up throughout communities nationwide at the same time, so residents can return their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

Residents can bring all unused pills, capsules or tablets in a clear, unmarked sealable bag for disposal.

Dr. Jude Duval, Maternal Fetal Medicine at Advocate Sherman Hospital, says, "The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue." Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

"In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away - both potential safety and health hazards," Dr. Duval continued.

"The Elgin Police Department is pleased to partner with other organizations in our area as we strive to reduce opioid addiction in our community" says Chief Ana Lalley of the Elgin Police Department.

All four organizations have taken steps to help address the opioid epidemic from removal of Dilaudid from Advocate Sherman Hospital's emergency room, to the Elgin Police's "We Can Help" program, to Renz Center's treatment programs, to the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Elgin's communitywide "Opioids 101/Naloxone Administration Training."

Collection sites in every local community can be found by going to takebackday.dea.gov.

This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.

Year-round prescription disposal programs in the area can be found on Kane County's recycling website: www.countyofkane.org/Recycling/pages/pharmMeds.aspx.