Village of Westmont
Date Issued: April 9, 2018
On Saturday, April 28, the Westmont Police Department will host two drug take back events as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. In partnership with Mariano’s and Cardinal Health, the events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westmont Police Department on 500 N. Cass Avenue, and Mariano’s in Westmont at 150 W. 63rd Street.
Drug take-back programs focus on collecting unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs. Pills and patches will be accepted at both locations; however, needles will ONLY be accepted at the Westmont Police Department collection site, and must be secured in a Sharps container. Members of the Westmont Police Department will be available to receive all medications delivered to these sites and will ensure safe disposal of these drugs.
The program will not accept radioactive medicines, liquids, creams, inhalers, or EpiPens. To learn about how to safely dispose of medicines not accepted at the event, the DuPage County Health Department has helpful resources available at http://www.dupagehealth.org/rxbox.
“The goal of the program is to reduce substance abuse, especially amongst teens, as well as prevent potentially dangerous drugs from entering the fresh water supply,” said Deputy Police Chief Brian Gruen. “We want to thank Mariano’s and Cardinal Health for being part of this year’s event and providing a collection spot on the south side of the community.”
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 54 percent of those who misused prescription drugs obtained them from a friend or relative. The Geisinger Center for Health Research found that only about 11 percent of unused medication is disposed of properly. Further, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recommends the need for improved consumer access to convenient and year-round drug take-back opportunities to reduce the amount of unused medications available for misuse.
"We are excited to be a part of this important initiative and provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs," said Liz Seybold, PharmD Manager, Clinical Care-Mariano’s Division.
“Drug take back programs play a critical role in preventing opioid misuse and abuse,” said Jim Scott, SVP National Markets at Cardinal Health. “Through our Opioid Action Program, we are proud to support the Westmont Police Department in their efforts to provide community members with opportunities to safely and anonymously dispose of unused and unwanted prescription medications.”
For more information regarding Westmont’s participation in this program, contact Deputy Chief Brian Gruen at
bgruen@westmont.il.gov or 630-981-6340.
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