WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
WHAT: As part of the bi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the MWRD and U.S. DEA encourage the public to bring their drugs to special MWRD collection boxes.
WHERE:
- Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago
- Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero
- O'Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard St., Skokie
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018
In conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chicago Field Division, the MWRD is accepting unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three water reclamation plants. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means for disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications and harm to the environment.
To prevent or reduce accidental contamination of streams, rivers and lakes, the MWRD has participated in the U.S. DEA's initiative each year since the event was launched in 2010.
Water treatment facilities are not designed to remove minute concentrations of pharmaceuticals, and the chemicals could eventually wind up in area streams and waterways and have a negative impact on water quality. Numerous studies show significant negative effects that pharmaceutical drugs have on aquatic life pulled from area waterways.
MWRD collection boxes are also available year round seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the three plants and Monday through Friday at our main office building at 100 E. Erie St., Chicago. Our partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's office has supported collection boxes throughout the county as well.
Visit www.mwrd.org , https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ and http://www.cookcountysheriff.com/SupportServices_PrescriptionDrugTakeBack.html
to find more collection opportunities.
