Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet During Loyola's Medication Take-Back Day

Loyola Medicine will partner with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to hold a medication take-back day Wednesday, October 19, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Loyola Outpatient Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood.

In its third year, this event offers community members and Loyola employees an opportunity to bring unused, expired or unwanted medication for incineration. All prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary tablets and capsules will be accepted. Liquids, illicit drugs and inhalers will not be accepted. This service is free and anonymous.

“Loyola's medication take-back event offers our community and patients a safe way to get rid of unwanted drugs," said Pamela Nicoski, PharmD, Loyola University Medical Center. “Medications flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash end up in our water supply and harm our environment. Unused medications in homes also create a public health and safety concern because they can be accidentally ingested, stolen, misused and abused."

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart initiated the prescription drug take-back program in 2011 and established permanent collection sites at each of the Cook County suburban courthouses as well as the Criminal Division, 2600 South California Ave., Chicago. The sheriff also works with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency on its annual prescription drug-collection drive.

For additional information on other opportunities to properly dispose of unused medications, contact the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.