Orland Township Highway Department Creates Drug Take Back Program

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — A new drug take back program has been established at the Orland Township Highway Department. The prescription drug take back program, in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, aims to offer a service for residents to properly dispose of prescription medication.

Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino gave Patch a tour of the department, explaining how the new program, which kicked off Tuesday, works. According to Rubino, residents can come to the Highway Department, located at 16125 Wolf Road, Orland Park, and place their medication into the designated disposal bin, any time between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday - Friday.

"The box is secure. There are cameras on the building as well as an alarm at night," Rubino said. "The sheriff's office then comes and clears it out on the second Wednesday of each month. The container has been secured to the floor, and we followed all the rules that the sheriff's office required from us."

Rubino said that although there is a program implemented at the Orland Township building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, he still wanted to implement the program at the Highway Department, saying there is a need for a disposal location in the area.

"Many unincorporated areas of Orland Township fall on Wolf Road, and I think that this service would be essential for the residents and the seniors who are asking for more services here," Rubino said. "I think it's another great program that we're providing here. I feel like the Highway Department has been kind of stagnant, and I'm changing it."

Anyone can dispose of medication for free at the location, whether they are a township resident or not.

Elected as Highway Commissioner in April, Rubino has made a few changes to the department since taking office. Some other changes include daily road checks, along with eliminating petty cash and depositing leftovers into the road fund. In partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the department will also be getting a few speed trailers. Rubino said the sheriff's office is currently assessing roads to see where they will be stationed.

In the 2022 fiscal year budget, the Highway Department is slated to receive two $50,000 grants. One will go toward capital improvements, and the other will cover costs associated with infrastructure improvements.

Rubino said he plans to implement more changes at the Highway Department, crediting his family's business background for his determination.

"I treat this place like it's my own and I want to see this place thrive," Rubino said. "There's a lot of things that haven't been done here, and we're trying to correct all that."

Learn more about how the drug take back programs work on the Orland Township website.