Cook County hosts prescription drug collection

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, is hosting two locations to collect unwanted prescription drugs for disposal.
People can drop off unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at the Grand Portage Clinic, 62 Upper Road, and the Cook County Law Enforcement Center, 143 Gunflint Trail. The service is free and anonymous. Only pills or patches will be accepted; liquids, needles or sharps won’t be accepted.
The Sheriff’s Office said the disposal is a chance for residents to rid their homes of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs and studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The Sheriff’s Office collected 125 pounds of medication during last year’s prescription drug take-back events.
“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that sit in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” Cook County Chief Deputy Will Sandstrom said in a statement.