23
Sep
2015
PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is encouraging residents to safely dispose of old prescription medication at local drop-off sites as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 26.
"Old medications left in the medicine cabinet too often become dangerous in the hands of young people," Smiddy said. "To ensure everyone has a safe place to dispose of old prescriptions, local law enforcement is providing free locations in our community to dispose of unused medications as part of this nation-wide event."
Smiddy is encouraging constituents to bring unused or leftover medications to any of the area locations listed in the table below. The collection drives are being held as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The goal is to provide locations across the country for the safe and responsible disposal of prescription medication. For information on other collection sites, visit dea.gov or contact the DEA's Office of Diversion Control at 800-882-9539.
Smiddy is promoting the take-back day as part of his effort to reduce dangerous drugs in the community. During the spring legislative session, Smiddy supported a comprehensive approach to preventing drug abuse by expanding access to life-saving treatments, monitoring the distribution of commonly abused prescription medications and promoting drug take-back programs throughout the state.
"Many medications that are critical to healing and recovery in medical settings are dangerous and habit-forming when not disposed of correctly," Smiddy said. "I'll continue to work in Springfield to prevent the spread of dangerous drug, but I also want to ensure people in the community have access to the all the resources at their disposal to keep us safe."
