Will County Sheriff's Office Hosts Drug Take-Back Day

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, the Will County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. A disposal receptacle will be available for drop off in the parking lot of the Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St. in downtown Joliet.

No needles of any kind will be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.

According to the sheriff’s office, during last year’s National Take Back Day, Americans turned in over 220 tons of prescription drugs at the 5,653 sites across the nation.

The initiative is operated by the DEA and is in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies. It addresses vital public safety and public health issues. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Additionally, Americans are now advised that their usual methods of disposing of unused medications, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, should be eliminated due to potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about National Take Back Day, visit www.dea.gov or call 1-800-882-9539.

Other sites participating in the medication disposal initiative are:

• Plainfield Police at 14300 S. Coil Plus Drive in Plainfield
• Bolingbrook Police at 375 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook
• Mokena Police at 10907 Front Street in Mokena
• Orland Park Police at 15100 S. Ravinia Avenue and/or 10500 Orland Parkway in Orland Park