Drop Off Expired or Unused Medicine at Orland Park Police Department April 26

Eliminate that risk by disposing of those expired pharmaceuticals April 26 at the Orland Park Police Department. The village, along with other communities across the country, is participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an event that allows people to safely get rid of their unused or expired medicine.

"The Village of Orland Park is glad to do its part to keep unused prescription drugs from getting into the wrong hands," said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin. "Orland Park's collection has been a great relief for many families. When someone dies, family members don't know where or how to safely dispose of the medicines. This lets them do that and gives peace of mind knowing they're being safely destroyed," the mayor said.

Expired, unwanted or unused prescriptions and over the counter medications may be turned in at the Orland Park Police Station, 15100 South Ravinia Avenue. There is no cost to participate and the turn in is confidential and anonymous. Glass containers, aerosol canisters, intravenous solutions or syringes will not be accepted.

"The Orland Park Police Department offers a year round collection at the station and still participates in the national initiatives twice a year, making it even more convenient for people to clear out their medicine cabinets and get rid of medicines they no longer need," said Trustee Dan Calandriello, chair of the village's Public Safety Committee.

During past take back days, 371 tons of prescription medications were collected from more than 5,829 locations manned by 4,312 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Added to the previous five collections, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation.

"The Village of Orland Park has been in the forefront of battling illegal drug use within the community and the region, collecting thousands of pounds of no longer needed prescription drugs," said Police Chief Tim McCarthy. "We invite and encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets and get rid of what they no longer need," the chief said.

The Police Department's ongoing collection enables residents to turn in unwanted prescription medications at the Orland Park Police Station, 15100 South Ravinia Avenue, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Prescriptions are not accepted on holidays and liquid drugs, aerosol medications and hypodermic needles and syringes are not accepted. There is no charge to participate and all disposals are confidential and anonymous.

Instructions for how to safety dispose of sharps or syringes are available by calling Waste Management at 1-800-796-9696.

The Orland Park Police Department will continue its week day collection and will continue to participate in the national drug take back days, held nationwide twice a year. For more information, call 708-349-4111.

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