Local residents can drop off their outdated or unwanted medications/drugs for no charge in a “Drop-Box” at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department starting immediately. The unveiling of this new and FREE pharmaceutical/drug drop-off program was held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 21st in the lobby of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.
The program is a product of teamwork between the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair County Health Department, City of Belleville, Illinois American Water and Southwestern Illinois College.
Together these companies and agencies have worked to expand the efforts of the popular Pontiac Prescription Drug Disposal (P2D2) program into St. Clair County by implementing and funding a drug disposal site at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. The group hopes their work will help protect water resources and keep unwanted drugs out of children's hands.
On hand for the unveiling, St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern said, “By promoting local disposal programs and practicing proper disposal of pharmaceuticals we are able to protect two very valuable resources, our children and our water.” He continued, “I commend this group for the efforts they are putting forth to make this happen.”
The disposal box, donated by Illinois American Water, is located in the lobby of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. Unwanted medications and drugs, such as prescription pills and liquids, over-the counter medications, or illegal substances collected in the pharmaceutical/drug disposal box will be in continuous custody of law enforcement and then properly disposed by incineration. Items should be delivered in their original containers, if possible. Any liquid items placed in the box should be in sealed, leak-proof containers. In his comments, Sheriff Mearl Justus stated access to the drop-box is daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“This program gives residents an alternative to flushing their medications, which can be harmful to our water sources,” said Karla Olson Teasley, President of Illinois American Water. “By properly disposing of unwanted medications we are helping to protect our water supply for future generations.”
The St. Clair County pharmaceutical disposal program, available to all St. Clair County residents was adopted from a model developed by Pontiac High School Township students and their teacher Paul Ritter. The program, P2D2, has been recognized by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois EPA and the Department of Natural Resources as a model for all pharmaceutical disposal programs. To learn more, please visit: www.epa.state.il.us/medication-disposal .
October 22, 2010
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