04/29/2011
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Illinois American Water is encouraging customers to participate in the Drug Enforcement Agency's second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30.
Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted medications at participating sites so they can be incinerated, which is the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal. Flushing medications down the toilet or the drain as well as throwing them in the trash are discouraged.
"This event is a great opportunity for residents to securely drop off any unused or expired medications," said Karla Olson Teasley, Illinois American Water president, in a press release. "It's important for us to keep these items out of our landfills and water supplies."
Collection sites participating in this event can be located by visiting www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com or www.justthinktwice.com. There are prescription drug disposal sites at the Ottawa and Streator police departments.
"We encourage those who cannot participate during this DEA event to continue to utilize their community pharmaceutical disposal programs to properly dispose of their unwanted medications," Teasley added. "Through all of these efforts, thousands of pounds of unwanted medications have been properly disposed."
Through partnership and collaboration with local pharmacies, police departments and government officials, Illinois American Water has implemented and supported 19 pharmaceutical disposal programs across the state. These community pharmaceutical disposal programs were created through a model developed by Pontiac High School Township students and their teacher Paul Ritter. The program, P2D2, has been recognized by Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Natural Resources as a model for all pharmaceutical disposal programs.
Programs supported in conjunction with Illinois American Water include three drop-off locations in Peoria as well as sites in Alton, Bartonville, Belleville, Caseyville, Champaign, Chillicothe, Collinsville, Fairmont City, Maryville, O'Fallon, Pekin, Peoria Heights, Pontiac, Streator, Urbana and Waterloo.
To learn more visit www.illinoisamwater.com.
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