Cook County Health is making it easier for patients to safely dispose of unused prescription medications.

Effective immediately, all Cook County Health pharmacies will have drop-off boxes, accessible during business hours, to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused prescription medications.

“Cook County Health is pleased to be able to offer this service,” Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha said. “Ensuring the safe disposal of unwanted medications is good for our patients and our communities, and an important part of providing full-service care.”

“Providing easily accessible means of prescription disposal helps ensure that prescription medications aren’t misused or collected in medicine cabinets far past their expiration dates,” said CaTanya Norwood, PharmD, Cook County Health pharmacy director.

Unused medications that are discarded in the trash can be retrieved and abused, or illegally sold. If they are flushed in the toilet, they can contaminate the water supply.

Cook County Health will have drop-off boxes in each of its pharmacies, accessible during business hours:

John H. Stroger Hospital
Room 1130
1969 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
Open Monday-Friday, 7 am to 9 pm; Weekends, 8 am to 7 pm

Provident Hospital
Room 2008
500 E. 51^st. St.
Chicago, Illinois
Open Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday, 9 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm; Closed on Sunday

Blue Island Health Center
12757 S. Western Ave.
Blue Island, Illinois
Open Monday-Friday, 8 am to 7:45 pm; Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm; Closed on Sunday

Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Ground Floor
2020 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, Illinois

Needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, biohazardous materials and poisons, and liquids will not be accepted at the drop boxes.

For more information on prescription drug misuse and proper disposal, visit:

www.dea.gov

www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov

www.justthinktwice.gov

Media Contact:

Kate Hedlin
Communications Manager

312-805-2038
[email protected]