DuPage County Hosts First Syringe Collection Drive

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL -- The DuPage County Sheriff's Office has partnered with SCARCE DuPage to host the county's first syringe collection event on April 6. In a video online, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said, "This is an environmental initiative, while also a safety initiative. And it's also an anti-drug initiative."

Residents are encouraged to bring their syringes and other medical "sharps" supplies to Wheaton Commuter Lot 9 at Carlton and Liberty Drive from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 6. Staff will ensure that the syringes and sharps are disposed of safely and properly to "ensure that syringes are returned to vestibules and not left out in the public," Mendrick said.

"I think it's important that we focus on the reduction of communicable diseases and the potential of these sharps that are used for drug use," Mendrick added.

He said, "The whole goal behind this is to keep our community safe."