THE PROBLEM: 

UNUSED MEDICATION IS A RISK TO FAMILIES, THE COMMUNITY, AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

Nationally, regionally and even locally there has been growing concern about what we all do with the medicines that are left over in our cabinets.  We take medication for so many reasons - for minor injuries, the occasional headache, back or muscle pain, to help relieve cold symptoms, for our high blood pressure or cholesterol.  Over-the-counter medication, prescriptions, ointments and liquids...we often have medications that may be expired or no longer used.

UNUSED MEDICATIONS

• 30% to 80% of patients do not finish commonly prescribed medications.
• Always take medications as prescribed by your doctor according to their labels
• Fewer unneeded medications around the house reduce confusion and mistakes that can happen when taking daily medications

RISKS OF POISONING

• Accidental poisoning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S.
• Children, even when well supervised, are exploratory and curious, they often have lots of opportunities to get into medicines in purses, cabinets and counter tops.

TEEN DRUG ABUSE

• The number of teens trying prescription drugs to get high is now equal to the number of teens who are trying marijuana
• One in five teens nationwide has abused prescription pain medication.  One in ten has abused cough medication

OUR ENVIRONMENT

• Whether they are put in the trash or our water supplies, medications may pollute or have risks to our environment
• Even though our drinking water is safe, low levels of pharmaceuticals have been recently found in drinking water in 24 U.S. cities.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Bring your expired and unused medications to the Wood Dale Police Department drug disposal box that is located inside the lobby of City Hall.  The medications will then be incinerated in collaboration with the Illinois EPA using state-of-the-art technology.  The medications will not be reused in any way.

DISPOSAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Bring household medications including over-the-counter, prescription medications, ointments, and liquid medications that are expired or unused.
• Also drop off asthma inhalers and glass (mercury) thermometers
• You can bring medications as they are in their original containers or, for spill-free disposal, place the pills or liquid medication bottles in a zipper top plastic bag.
• Cross of any personal information on the label to reduce concerns about personal identification information

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED

• Sharps or needles
• Radioactive medicines
• Any other medical waste
• Household chemical waste - these items need to be disposed of using other methods