In 2011 the Coalition for Healthy Communities partnered with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to collect 17 thirty gallon bags of prescription drugs in April and October at the Beach Park Village Hall. This was part of a nation-wide take back day with hundreds of sites participating throughout the country.
Since then, the Coalition has been part of a larger organization called the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force. There are over 20 Prescription Drug Disposal Boxes throughout the county. Here is a link to the map of all of the Lake County locations: http://drugfreelakecounty.org/545-2/
The Zion Police Department has a permanent drop off location for unused and unwanted medications at the Zion Police Department 2101 Salem Blvd in Zion.
The following items are accepted at the Prescription Drug Drop Box:
- Prescription medications, including controlled substances
- All over the counter medications
- Medication samples, pet medications
- Vitamins and supplements, medicated ointments
- Lotions, creams and oils, liquid medication in leak-proof containers
- Homeopathic remedies
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) and the Lake County Health Department are asking residents to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines and personal care products SAFELY. Please do not dispose of these products down the sink or through the sewage system. They are harmful to the environment, polluting rivers, streams, and endangering the aquatic life living in them. Additionally, pharmaceuticals that are flushed can kill beneficial bacteria responsible for breaking down waste and damage septic systems. The best method of disposal is to take your products to a local prescription drug drop box around the county, where they can be processed and disposed of safely and conveniently.
An Important Letter Regarding The Drug Drop Off Box
