NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

31 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546

03 FEBRUARY 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ofc. Mike Panek mpanek@riverside.il.us 708.447.2127 - Follow RPD on Twitter @pdriverside

FEBRUARY 13th AT THE POLICE STATION LOBBY

RIVERSIDE POLICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH COOK COUNTY
ARE TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Address a vital public safety and public health issue!
On Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Riverside Police Department will
give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of
potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for
disposal to Riverside Police at 31 Riverside Road. (We cannot accept liquids or needles or
sharps, only pills or patches.)
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Medicines that languish in home
cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug
abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and
overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are
obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused
medicinesflushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trashboth pose potential
safety and health hazards. Recent reports show at least 27 different drugs detected in Lake
Michigan and both prescription and non-prescription drugs were found in drinking water said
Officer Mike Panek.
Legally get unwanted drugs out of your home and bring them to our lobby on February 13th.
Location:

Riverside Police Station Lobby, 31 Riverside Road

Time:

7 AM to 3 PM