The Monmouth Police Department and OSF Holy Family Medical Center are partnering up for an important event this weekend. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., citizens from the surrounding areas can drop off unwanted prescription drugs at both the police station and OSF Medical Center with no questions asked. Lieutenant Jerry Kinney explains:
“It’s to have an opportunity for the public to get rid of their pharmaceutical drugs that they have. They could be expired or ones that they don’t use any further to help prevent them from disposing of them in an improper way,” Kinney said.
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. The proper disposal of prescription drugs is important because it minimizes the amount of improper disposals such as flushing drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash.
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. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 28th Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or contact the Monmouth Police Department at 734-8383.
written by Jackson Kane
