Here's How to Keep Prescription Drugs Out of Kids' Hands and Out of the Water Supply

Elmhurst Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the west parking lot of the Police Department, 125 E. First St.

Officers will collect expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs for safe destruction. Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to possible 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 also are environmental hazards that contaminate the water supply.

During the September 2012 collection, 450 pounds of medications were turned in for destruction in Elmhurst alone. Since the event was first held in 2010, more than 2 million pounds of medications have been removed from circulation nationwide.

Elmhurst police are asking residents to check their homes for unwanted prescription medications to be dropped off, no questions asked.

For more information, call Sgt. Michael McLean at (630) 530-3050, or visit www.DEA.gov.

Source: The Elmhurst Police Department

Let Patch save you time. Get more local stories like these delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here. For a different take, like us on Facebook.