Area Police Departments Serve as Drug Drop-Off Sites

Several area police departments will serve as drug drop-off sites as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's “National Take-Back Initiative” on Saturday, April 27. 

The one-day event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following local law enforcement sites,:

• Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive–Algonquin
• Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive–Cary
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock Street–Crystal Lake
• Fox River Grove Police Department, 305 Illinois Street–Fox River Road
• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street–Huntley
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road–Johnsburg
• Lake in the Hills Police Department, 1115 Crystal Lake Road–Lake in the Hills
• Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Avenue – Lakewood
• Marengo Police Department, 142 E Prairie Street–Marengo
• McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Wonder Lake FPD, 4300 E Wonder Lake Rd–Wonder Lake
• McHenry Police Department, 333 S Green Street–McHenry
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road–Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Avenue–Woodstock

This initiative is meant to address a public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish 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. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. 

Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal.  Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps.  Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers.  

Source: McHenry County Department of Health press release