September 21, 2016
Local Leaders Join Walgreens to Launch Effort to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
Safe
Medication Disposal Kiosks Available at Three Lake County Walgreens Locations
New medication disposal kiosks at three Lake County Walgreens
locations will allow individuals to safely and conveniently dispose of their
unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and
over-the-counter medications, at no cost. The kiosks offer one of the best ways
to ensure medications are not accidently used or intentionally misused by
someone else.
Local and state elected leaders, including Lake County Board
Chairman Aaron Lawlor, State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim, Undersheriff
Raymond J. Rose, along with State Senator Terry Link, joined
Walgreens Regional Vice President Joe Willey to announce Walgreens’ Safe
Medication Disposal Program in Lake County on Wednesday.
The officials unveiled a safe medication disposal kiosk at the
Walgreens store located at 1811 Belvidere Road in Waukegan—one of three public
safe medication disposal receptacles in Lake County and 45 across the state.
Lake County Board Chairman said, “We know that less supply
equals less likelihood for opioid addiction. Walgreens has stepped up to combat
drug abuse with this program, and I encourage Lake County residents to take
action—Go through your medicine cabinets and take your unused or unwanted
medications to one of these boxes. This issue didn’t happen overnight, and it
won’t be solved overnight. We must continue to work together at the federal,
state and local levels to fight this crisis that is destroying families and
having a detrimental effect on our communities.”
“Prescription Drug Disposal Saves Lives. Period. We
have seen too many tragic examples of lives destroyed by the misuse of
prescription medication, particularly opiates. This is one way our
community can help make a difference. Lake County has been a leader in
our collective efforts to drive proper drug disposal. I applaud Walgreens
for their leadership,” said State’s Attorney Nerheim.
Undersheriff
Raymond J. Rose said, “At the end of 2014, Lake County had
17 prescription drug disposal boxes in law enforcement offices. Today, we have
28. I’m pleased to report that Lake County law enforcement collected 7,623
pounds of unused or expired prescription drugs since January. We are serious
about preventing prescription drugs from getting in the wrong hands and
disposal boxes are easy and convenient for the public. We thank the folks at
Walgreens for joining us and adding disposal boxes at three Lake County
Walgreens locations, providing the public three more spots to dispose of
prescription drugs.”
“By making safe medication disposal kiosks available in select
Illinois stores, including the ones in Lake County, Walgreens is taking an
important first step to curb the misuse of medications throughout the country,”
said Joe Willey, Walgreens Regional Vice President. “As a pharmacy, we are
committed to playing a role in what must be a comprehensive solution to prevent
prescription drug and opioid abuse.”
Walgreens is installing 500 safe medication disposal kiosks in
select stores throughout the country. The kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies are
available during regular pharmacy hours (24 hours a day at most kiosk
locations). The Lake County locations include:
- Buffalo Grove Walgreens - 15 N
Buffalo Grove Rd
- Deerfield Walgreens - 780
Waukegan Rd
- Waukegan Walgreens - 1811
Belvidere Rd
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Contact: Jennie Vana
Lake County Communications Manager
Email: jvana@lakecountyil.gov
Phone Number: 847-377-2154
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