Champaign Law Enforcement Agencies Discontinue Prescription Drug Collection Box Program

Press release from the City of Champaign:

The Champaign, Urbana and University of Illinois Police Departments have discontinued their prescription drug collection box program. The prescription drug boxes located in the lobby of each respective department have been removed and prescription medication for disposal will no longer be accepted by the agencies.

The departments elected to discontinue the prescription drug box program largely due to safety concerns for the employees that empty and handle the contents of the drug box. On numerous occasions, prohibited items were found amongst the contents to include uncapped, used hypodermic needles, jeopardizing the safety of employees.

Local law enforcement continues to see tremendous value in having a safe and secure location for prescription medication to be disposed of properly. Several prescription drug disposal locations remain throughout the Champaign-Urbana community. More information can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Website. For the direct link to search for area drop-off locations, please click here.

This press release was produced by the City of Champaign. The views expressed here are the author’s own.