releases: http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/expired-painkillers-or-other-prescription-drugs-drop-them-off-on-saturday
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/expired-painkillers-or-other-prescription-drugs-drop-them-off-on-saturday | Expired Painkillers or other Prescription Drugs? Drop them off on Saturday | 2014-09-26 | 2014 | 2014-09 | Republican | House | IL | Randy Hultgren | H001059 | hultgren.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today urged all residents of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District—including those in McHenry, Lake, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, DeKalb and Will Counties—to “take back” their expired, unused and unwanted prescription medicines to authorized disposal sites throughout northern Illinois on Saturday, September 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Medicines that languish in medicine cabinets at home and assisted living, including powerful opioid painkillers, are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. On Saturday, Rep. Hultgren, along with Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, will lead Fremont Township’s disposal efforts at 10:00 a.m. at the Fremont Township Administration Center, 22385 W. Route 60 in Mundelein. In April, Rep. Hultgren took back his family’s unused prescription drugs to Kane County’s new drug drop box at the Coroner’s Office in Geneva. “Each year, thousands of pounds of unused or expired prescription drugs of all kinds are collected on drug take-back day, but even more languish in home medicine cabinets,” said Rep. Hultgren. “When most abused prescription drugs are obtained or taken from family and friends, I urge the community to bring in all unwanted or unused drugs to a nearby site for proper disposal to ensure these drugs are not abused. “The northern Illinois community has continued to step up to combat heroin and opioid abuse. I am encouraged by the value of community forums, like the Community Leadership Forum on Heroin Prevention. DeKalb County police, for instance, have begun training to help avert heroin overdose. DeKalb County Board Chairman Jeff Metzger was able to take what he learned there and implement it locally. Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez this week announced a new prescription drug drop-off partnership with the Sugar Grove and Pingree Grove police departments. Others like DuPage County have led the way, showing the importance of a community-wide effort. These gatherings are valuable for bringing leaders together across the 14th and having them share best practices and collaborate to stretch limited local resources.” "The prescription drug take back will accomplish many wonderful purposes,” said Sheriff Curran. “Primarily, we are getting the message out that people need to empty their cabinets. The dangers facing young people are pill parties, oxycontin and opioid derivatives that frequently lead to future heroin use and can be averted when we get rid of old prescription medication. Let's get together to protect our young people, the environment and much more by stopping by one of these drop offs.” To find a nearby collection site, please click here. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous.) Rep. Hultgren has been a leader in the fight to stop the epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse: In March, he convened a Community Leadership Forum on Heroin Prevention in Geneva, Illinois and released a community action plan based on the forum discussions aimed at developing a community-based solution to the epidemic. Many communities are already implementing the recommendations put forth in the plan. He submitted the plan to both Governor Quinn's Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force and the House Bipartisan Task Force on the Heroin Crisis, as well as to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) who has investigated the issue. The National Association of REALTORS® has recognized Rep. Hultgren for his recommendation to them to encourage homeowners to take proactive steps to make sure prescription drugs are secured prior to public open houses. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |