Safe Drug Storage and Disposal
Proper and timely disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications is extremely important! Storing drugs for prolonged periods at home can lead to accidental poisoning, particularly among young children. Holding on to certain prescription pain killers, anxiety medications and sleep aids beyond the period of medical necessity increases risks associated with drug dependence and potential overdose.
Safe Prescription Medication Storage
First, check for any expired prescription medicines, as they may no longer be safe or effective. Ensure that your prescription medication is stored in its original packaging with the safety lock tightened and secured.
Then, secure your medication. Store it in a location inaccessible to children and pets. For prescription narcotics such as morphine, opioids, or codeine, consider further securing them in a locked cabinet or drawer. Proper storage of these controlled substances is crucial, as they can pose significant risks if taken without a prescription.
Pay Attention to Expiration Dates
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can lose their potency after their expiration dates, and some can even grow harmful bacteria.
Kane County Safe Drug Disposal Locations
You may bring unused or expired prescription drugs to the following locations for safe disposal. Remove identifying labels before dropping off.
- Campton Hills Police Department
- Elburn Police Department
- Elburn Village Hall
- Geneva Police Department
- Hampshire Police Department
- Hampshire Pharmacy
- Kane County Coroner’s Office
- Maple Park Police Department
- Medical Park Pharmacy, Aurora
- Meijer Pharmacy, St. Charles
- Pingree Grove Police Department
- Presence Mercy, Aurora
- Presence Saint Joseph, Elgin
- South Elgin Police Department
Don't Flush!
Flushing drugs down the toilet or sink and even throwing them in the trash leads to medications ending up in our waterways. Please don't flush your medications.
If no safe drug disposal locations or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions in the package insert, according to the Food and Drug Administration, you can follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
- Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
- Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
- Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
- Remove all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
Resources
Kane County Medication Drop-off Locations
CDC: Your Prescription Medicine: Tips for Safe Storage and Disposal
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
FDA: Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
