Huntley Part of National Take-Back Initiative

Many Americans are accustomed to flushing their unused medicines down the toilet or throw them in the trash – both potential safety and health hazards. U.S. Geological Survey studies have found traces of prescription drugs in water samples from 30 states, which have been linked to ecological harm to fish and freshwater supplies.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) program National Take-Back Initiative gives residents the chance to bring prescription and over-the-counter medications to drop off points throughout the area, including Huntley police department, rather than flushing the medications.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

Solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications should be in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal. Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, needles, lancets and sharps. Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers.

Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers.

There are 10 participating drop-off sites in McHenry County including:

• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street–Huntley
• Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive—Algonquin
• Cary Police Department, 654 Village Hall Drive–Cary
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock Street–Crystal Lake
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N Chapel Hill Road—Johnsburg
• Lake in the Hills Police Department, 1115 Crystal Lake Road–Lake in the Hills
• Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Avenue – Lakewood
• Marengo Police Department, 142 E Prairie Street–Marengo
• McHenry Police Department, 333 S Green Street–McHenry
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road–Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Avenue—Woodstock

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s webpage. Check often as new sites will be added daily or contact your local police department.

Additional information is available from your participating local law enforcement agency, on the MCDH webpage or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.