Village of Orland Park to Host DEA Take Back Day- No Longer Needed Prescription Drugs Collected April 27

ORLAND PARK, IL - The Village of Orland Park is participating with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to support the National Prescription Take-Back Initiative on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Orland Park’s participation in the national observance is in addition to its recently announced collection at the Police Station, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The village’s participation in this program has been very successful, giving residents the opportunity to safely dispose of no longer needed prescription drugs and keeping them from getting into the wrong hands,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

The initiative enables the public to turn in expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and over the counter medication to law enforcement officers for destruction. These unused drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal consumption and pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

On Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, area residents may bring no longer needed prescription drugs to the Orland Park Police Station, 15100 South Ravinia Avenue and to the entrance of Smith Crossing at 10500 Orland Parkway. The confidential and anonymous service is free of charge but cannot accept glass containers, aerosol canisters, intravenous solutions or syringes.

“This is a great service, especially when families are left with a loved one’s medications after they’ve passed away,” said Trustee Carole Griffin Ruzich, chair of the village’s Public Safety Committee. “This is the safest way to dispose of what can be dangerous drugs if in the wrong hands,” she said.

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “Americans currently abuse prescription drugs more than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined.” In a published article on January 13, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified prescription drug abuse as the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. Since 2003, more overdose deaths have involved prescription drugs than heroin and cocaine combined.

“The Village of Orland Park has been on the forefront of battling illegal drug use within the community and the region,” 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.