Police host prescription drug take-back event this Saturday

According to a release issued by Police Chief Michael Ruth, the Elmhurst Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Officers will be on hand in the west parking lot of the police station to collect expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs for safe destruction. The police station is located at 125 E. First Street.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse.  The non-medical use of prescription drugs is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in America. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends.  Unused drugs that are flushed into toilets or thrown into the garbage are also environmental hazards, as they contaminate the water supply.

Since 2014, the Elmhurst Police Department has been able to 6,016 pounds of unused medication through its drug take-back initiatives.  

Please check your home for unwanted prescription medications and conveniently drop them off, no questions asked at the Elmhurst Police Station.  If you are unable to drop off unwanted prescription drugs on the Take Back Day, you may drop them off at any time to the prescription drug collection box, located in the police department lobby.  If you would like more information, please contact Sergeant Steven Mandat at (630) 530-3063 or visit www.DEA.gov.