Drug Take Back Day Set for Saturday

The Illinois Department of Human Services and the US Drug Enforcement Administration, along with substance use prevention providers, will hold an event Saturday allowing people to turn back in drugs they no longer need.

From 10am to 2pm Saturday, members of the public can rid their home of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The collection site is in the lobby of the Effingham County Office Building at Jefferson and 4th, east across from the Courthouse Museum. There is a mailbox-like container in which you can deposit the drugs. The container is located near the entrance door to the Effingham County Sheriff's Department.

The site cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 469 tons of prescription drugs at the event.

Flushing the drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards.

You can find out more about the disposal of prescription drugs at www.DEATakeBack.com.