The Elgin Police Department has launched a prescription medication disposal program to help residents safely throw away household medications they no longer need.
A permanent prescription drop-off box is now located in the lobby area of the Elgin Police Department, 151 Douglas St. On a weekly basis, medication will be removed and destroyed.
“”Residents needed a way to properly dispose of unwanted or unused medication,” said Elgin Police Department’s Community Outreach Officer Cherie Aschenbrenner. “Medications left unsecured in a home can potentially lead to misuse and result in serious health implications for both children and adults.”
Some residents have also disposed of medications by putting them down drains and toilets.
“Elgin uses the Fox River for drinking water,” said Elgin Water Director Kyla Jacobsen. “When people dump medications down drains, it does get into our water supply. Of course, there’s a minimal impact now. But if people continue to dispose of medication by putting them down drains and toilets, there could eventually be a greater impact.”
Residents are encouraged to remove any identifying information from a prescription label before dropping the medication off. Medications that will be accepted are: pills, salves and liquid medication. If the containers are no longer available or have been compromised, the medication should be in a sealed plastic bag.
Items not accepted are: liquid products, intra-venous solutions, injection products, needles, thermometers and syringes. Medicines brought in from nursing homes, clinics, doctors’ offices or any other entity which distributes medications will not be accepted.