Since 2007, the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) has sponsored a collection program for residents to dispose of unwanted or expired over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as sharps (needles). The shortcoming of this program is that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will not allow Controlled Substances to be collected by municipal staff. These medications must be collected by a sworn Police Officer or at a Police Station in a secure area. The DEA is revising its Regulations to include mail-in and pharmacy collection programs, so there will be additional options in the future should the revisions become law and there is vender participation.
At this time, how should residents dispose of pharmaceutical Controlled Substances?
First and foremost, find a drop-off for these medications through one of the following programs:
DO NOT flush medications down the toilet or put them down the drain!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey revealed that there are a substantial amount of antibiotics and steroidal hormones in rivers, lakes and wells caused by people flushing their medications down the toilet or putting them down the sink.
To learn more, download the Pharmaceutical Drugs and Sharps Disposal brochure. Find a drop-off location for pharmaceuticals and sharps in a SWANCC community.
Take the "American Medicine Chest" Challenge in 5 Simple Steps:
- Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
- Secure your medicine chest.
- Safely dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicines in the garbage ONLY if there is not a drop-off option.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed.
- Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse... they are listening. Resources for more infomation include:
For more information, visit AmericanMedicineChest.com.
