DEA Chicago Field Division Hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
CHICAGO – The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,300 law enforcement partners, will host the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additionally, the DEA Chicago Field Division will be hosting Take Back Day collection sites on the following dates and locations throughout Chicago:
- Oct. 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Mount Sinai Hospital Chicago (1500 S. Fairfield Ave.)
- Oct. 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church (4106 W. Monroe St.)
- Oct. 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Northwestern Medicine (Streeterville and Bronzeville locations)
More than 4,400 collection sites will be set up across the country to dispose of unneeded, expired, and unused prescription medications. This is a simple step that prevents diversion, reduces the risk of accidental poisonings, and helps protect communities.
“Since 2010, Take Back Day has helped Americans remove more than twenty million pounds of unneeded medications from their homes,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “By participating in Take Back Day, you are preventing potentially addictive medications from falling into the wrong hands – a small step that can save lives. I am grateful to the thousands of law enforcement and community partners who make these events possible, and I urge everyone to take a few minutes on Saturday, October 24, to clean out your medicine cabinets.”
“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is about more than collecting unused medications. It’s about protecting families, preventing prescription drug misuse, and making our communities safer,” said Todd Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division. “We recognize that access to safe and convenient disposal options is not the same in every neighborhood. That’s why we’re working with our community partners to bring Take Back Day directly into more neighborhoods throughout Chicago, making it easier for residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications. Whether it’s at a hospital, a church, or another trusted community location, our goal is to expand access, and ensure every community has an opportunity to participate.”
What will be collected
- Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications
- Liquid medications securely sealed in their original containers
What won’t be collected
- Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs
Why it matters
- Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most frequently misused prescription pain medications, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Removing unneeded medications from the home reduces the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion.
Visit www.DEATakeBack.com to find a registered Take Back location near you. If you are unable to participate in this fall’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 15,300 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal year-round. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes to ensure Every Day is Take Back Day.
