National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Saturday, October 26, 2024

Every day, more than 130 Americans die after overdosing on opioids. As the prescription opioid epidemic continues to worsen, Northwestern Medicine is working alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration to host collection sites for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day . The event aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and other prescription medications, while also educating the general public about the potential for misuse of medications.

Unused medications thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused, or illegally sold. If they are flushed, they can contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

Naloxone training and distribution is provided at all collection sites.

Please note, sharps and liquids will not be accepted, and Take Back Day is for community members, not for commercial organizations.

Northwestern Medicine will host ten sites for community members to visit from 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday, October 26:

• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
  East Entrance Roundabout
  25 North Winfield Road
  Winfield, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
  Hospital Main Entrance
  10400 Haligus Road
  Huntley, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles
  (on the east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road)
  2900 Foxfield Road
  St. Charles, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital
  Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital)
  2733 Sycamore Road
  DeKalb, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
  600 N. Westmoreland Road
  Lake Forest, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital (New Location)
  Cancer Center Entrance
  4201 West Medical Center Drive
  McHenry, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Old Irving Park Advanced Outpatient Center
  Patient Drop Off Area (Inside attached parking garage)
  4445 West Irving Park Road
  Chicago, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
  12251 South 80th Avenue
  (Use main entrance driveway, take first right, west side of the hospital)
  Palos Heights, Illinois
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital
  1302 North Main Street
  Sandwich, Illinois
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital Lavin Family Pavilion     
  259 East Erie Street
  Chicago, Illinois

To find other collection sites near you, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/.

For more information on prescription drug misuse and proper disposal, visit:

• www.dea.gov
• www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov
• www.justthinktwice.gov

Participating organizations: