Loyola Medicine Medication Take Back Day to Provide Safe Disposal of Old Medications for Local Community
June 8, 2021
Categories: Loyola Medicine
MAYWOOD, IL – Loyola Medicine’s Opioid Task Force, in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, is organizing a Medication Take Back Day for community members, patients and colleagues to safely dispose of their old medications. The event will take place on Friday, June 11 from 10 am – 2 pm in the Loyola Outpatient Center (2160 S. First Ave., Maywood). Loyola Medicine has held this event several times throughout past years, collecting unused, expired or unwanted prescription medications, insulin vials, over-the-counter medications and herbals, veterinary medications and medication patches. No illicit drugs, liquid medications, aerosols/inhalers will be accepted. The service is free and anonymous.
"This event can make a huge impact in our local communities," said Megan Rech, PharmD, co-chair of the Opioid Task Force for Loyola Medicine. "Providing a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of old medications, especially opioids, benefits the health and safety of the whole community."
Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
In 2017, an estimated 18 million people misused prescription drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, with 18-25 year olds reporting the highest percentages of misuse. Prescription medications are the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children. Senior citizens also are at elevated risk for misuse and mistakes.
The Cook County Sheriff's Department initiated the Prescription Drug Take Back Program in 2012 and established permanent collection sites at each of the Cook County suburban courthouses as well as the Criminal Court Building in Chicago. The program has expanded to more than 80 local law enforcement and local government partners.
For more information on preventing prescription drug misuse, go to the following websites:
Drug Disposal Guidelines
Accepted:
- Prescription medications (including CII – CV)
- Insulin vials
- Over-the-counter medications and herbals/”nutraceuticals”
- Veterinary medications
- Medication patches
Unable to Accept:
- Illicit drugs
- Liquid medications
- Aerosols/inhalers
Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website for more valuable information about DEA’s National Take-Back Initiative.
For more information on the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals, go to the following websites:
About Loyola Medicine
Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
Established in 1961, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park that includes the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care, Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center, acute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, childcare center and fitness center. Founded in 1919, MacNeal Hospital is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program.
For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).
About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 127,000 colleagues and more than 38,300 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 93 hospitals, 107 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 142 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2024, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.3 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).