No doubt about it, the weather all over the United States has been pretty brutal this winter. And of course with cold .. windy .. nasty .. winter weather comes colds and flu. That 
can mean trips to the pharmacy for medicines and prescriptions to combat illness.
And although doctors remind us that we need to take the full prescription prescribed, that advice doesn't or can't always get followed. Sometimes medicines are left untaken when negative reactions and side effects are experienced by a patient.
As a result, medicine cabinets can become cramped with old, unused prescription medications.
The old methods of disposing of prescription drugs have come under much scrutiny recently. Studies have shown that many of these prescription drugs are doing damage to our environment. These drugs are ending up in our water supplies and soils. Throwing the meds out or flushing them down the toilet just isn't acceptible anymore.
So how do you go about disposing of these unused prescriptions? What's a safe way of accomplishing this?
The police departments located in St. Charles and Geneva, IL have stepped-up and are addressing this problem by offering a prescription medicine disposal program for their residents. (Drug-dispensing businesses/pharmacies are not included.) They join a growing number of police departments across our nation offering programs of this type.
Both the St. Charles and Geneva, IL police departments
(located in Kane County) provide this much needed service in tandem with Delnor Hospital located in Geneva. The hospital does the actual disposal of the medicines after the 2 police departments sort through the dropped-off items.
Residents of Geneva, IL can drop medicines off at their Geneva Police Department, located at 20 Police Plaza in Geneva.
Residents of St. Charles, IL can drop medications at their St. Charles Police Department located at 211 No. Riverside Drive, St. Charles. A drop-off box is provided in the lobby of the police station.
Both police departments ask that the following guidelines be carefully followed by their residents wishing to take part in this prescription drop-off program:
- REMOVE OR BLACKOUT your personal information on the label of the prescription bottle. This will safeguard your privacy.
- Leave all medicines in their original containers.
- Bill bottles, blister packs, ointment tubes, and leak-proof liquid containers are ALL acceptable.
- Packaging materials will be recycled, when possible.
For residents of other U.S. cities looking to participate in a like prescription program, please check with your local law enforcement departments. Also be aware that the Drug Enforcement Administration hosts one-day drop-off events in the past and will offer more in the future. You can also contact your local pharmacy for information and to see if they are taking part in any such program.
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President
Personal NMLS #216987
The Federal Savings Bank
1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Now on Skype! 630-219-1316
