End-of-Year Prescription Take-Back Drive Underway In Cook County

COOK COUNTY, IL -- It’s the end of another year, which means a time of personal reset and renewal for many Cook County residents. Why not clear out your medicine cabinet of old prescription and over-the-counter medications. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office offers 80 take-back sites to safely dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications.

“Much like checking smoke detector batteries around daylight saving time, we should be using the end of the year to properly dispose of unused prescriptions,” Sheriff Tom Dart said. “Safe disposal of prescription medication reduces the chance of accidental poisoning or abuse and helps keep our drinking water safe.”

When taken without a prescription or medical supervision, pharmaceuticals can be as harmful as street drugs, heightening the importance of keeping unwanted medication inaccessible to those who may seek to abuse or sell it. Given that water treatment facilities cannot remove the minuscule concentrations of chemicals found within prescriptions, flushing pharmaceuticals can pollute residential water and endanger aquatic life.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office operates a toll-free hotline, which the public can call for more information or with any questions regarding safe disposal of prescriptions: 1-84-GOT USED RX? (1-844-688-7379).