LITH Police Host Drug Take Back Day

Press release from Village of Lake in the Hills Police Department:

Oct. 6, 2020

On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lake in the Hills Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide an opportunity for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring pills for disposal to the lower lobby of the Lake in the Hills Police Station (1115 Crystal Lake Rd). Prior to drop off, be sure to remove all labels or black out with a marker. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Pills and patches will be accepted in addition to vaping devices and cartridges. However, devices containing lithium ion batteries cannot be accepted so be sure to remove the batteries from the devices before turning them in. If the battery cannot be removed, check with large electronic chain stores or local hazardous materials management facility to determine if they will accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Needles, sharps, and liquids will not be accepted.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about the Oct. 24 Take Back Day event, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call Communications Coordinator Ashley Eccles at 847-658-5676.

This press release was produced by Village of Lake in the Hills Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.